atlético win group c by defeating benfica published: tuesday 8 december 2015, 22.39cet benfica 1-2 atlético goals from saúl ñíguez and luciano vietto secured victory for the rojiblancos as they topped group c at the expense of their opponents.
atlético win group c with victory over benfica in lisbon saúl ñíguez gives the spanish outfit a first-half lead, luciano vietto makes it 2-0 kostas mitroglou replies for benfica, who finish as runners-up atlético are 13 games unbeaten since losing to benfica on 30 september the round of 16 draw takes place at 12.00cet on 14 december
atlético madrid will head into uefa champions league round of 16 draw as group c winners after getting the better of fellow qualifiers benfica at the scene of their 2014 final defeat.
atlético had the ball in the net after 18 quiet minutes, diego godín's joy cut short by an assistant referee's raised flag. godín's attempt, the first of note, heralded a spell of rojiblancos pressure and two saves in quick succession from júlio césar, who palmed wide saúl ñíguez's drive from outside the box before tipping over a rising gabi effort.
the benfica threat was sporadic, their first-half attempts floundering once they reached the edge of the visitors' penalty area. stefan savić illustrated that point perfectly when executing a perfectly-timed challenge on pizzi just as the former atlético midfielder was about to pull the trigger.
within minutes, diego simeone's men were deservedly ahead. antoine griezmann was the instigator, finding luciano vietto with a clever ball down the side of the eagles' defence. the argentinian international showed great awareness to pick out saúl ñíguez for a measured finish.
ıf benfica had laboured before the break then they came close within seconds of the restart through substitute kostas mitroglou, who stepped inside a challenge before drilling narrowly wide of jan oblak's near post.
vietto, however, gave the spanish side the security of a two-goal cushion when he stole a march on jardel at the near post to deftly divert yannick carrasco's teasing low delivery past júlio césar. mitroglou set up a thrilling last quarter of an hour with a shot in off oblak's left-hand post.
a transformed attacking force with mitroglou and raúl jiménez now leading the line, benfica pressed for the equaliser that would have redressed the group balance, going closest when the latter headed a left-wing cross wide with seven minutes remaining.
