UEFA Champions League League Stage - 2
Chelsea 1 - 0 FT Benfica
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
18' R. Rios (A. Garnacho)
Enzo Barrenechea 34'
45'+1 Enzo Fernández
HT
Richard Ríos 49'
54' ↓ F. Buonanotte ↑Estêvão
61' ↓ A. Garnacho ↑J. Gittens
61' ↓ T. George ↑Joao Pedro
62' João Pedro
Fredrik Aursnes 63'
↓ A. Silva ↑T. Araujo 73'
↓ G. Sudakov ↑F. Ivanovic 77'
↓ R. Rios ↑L. Barreiro 77'
↓ D. Lukebakio ↑A. Schjelderup 77'
80' ↓ M. Gusto ↑R. James
80' ↓ B. Badiashile ↑J. Acheampong
Nicolás Otamendi 83'
Tomás Araújo 88'
↓ F. Aursnes ↑H. Araujo 89'
90'+6 João Pedro
90'+6 João Pedro
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Chelsea
Goalkeepers
R. Sanchez 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
M. Gusto
LATE SHIFT
10
Late Mins
10
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
80
Entry
T. Chalobah 
MAGNET
87
Activity
87
Activity
84
Passes
3
Duels
B. Badiashile
MAGNET
103
Activity
103
Activity
99
Passes
4
Duels
M. Cucurella 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
27%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
E. Fernandez
MAGNET
71
Activity
71
Activity
56
Passes
15
Duels
M. Caicedo
MAGNET
77
Activity
77
Activity
61
Passes
16
Duels
P. Neto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Buonanotte
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
54
Total Mins
54
Entry
A. Garnacho 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Forwards
T. George
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
BENCH
F. Jorgensen 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
M. Merrick
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
J. Hato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. James
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Acheampong
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Lavia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Walsh
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Gittens
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joao Pedro 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
3
Fouls
5.9
Rating
M. Guiu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Estêvão 
DRIBBLER
3
Dribbles
3
Dribbles
3
Attempts
100%
Success %
Benfica
Goalkeepers
A. Trubin
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
A. Dedic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Silva
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
N. Otamendi
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
S. Dahl
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
20%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
R. Rios
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
2
Fouls
5.9
Rating
E. Barrenechea
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Aursnes 
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
37%
Pass Acc
6.2
Rating
Forwards
D. Lukebakio
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
V. Pavlidis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Sudakov 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
S. Soares
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
D. Ferreira
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
R. Obrador
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Araujo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Oliveira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Barreiro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Veloso
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Rego
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Prioste
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Ivanovic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Schjelderup
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Araujo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28/06/2025 | Benfica | 1 - 4 | Chelsea | FIFA Club World Cup | Bank of America Stadium |
| 04/04/2012 | Chelsea | 2 - 1 | Benfica | UEFA Champions League | Stamford Bridge |
| 27/03/2012 | Benfica | 0 - 1 | Chelsea | UEFA Champions League | Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica |
Chelsea Win
Benfica Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -5
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +19
P: 8 GD: +14
P: 8 GD: +12
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +9
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -13
P: 8 GD: -11
P: 8 GD: -14
P: 8 GD: -13
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Own Goal Lifts Chelsea Past Benfica in Tight Champions League Encounter
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 35/100. A single own goal separates two evenly matched sides in a match where defensive frailty proved more costly than attacking prowess.
Chaos at the Back Decides a Cagey Affair
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Benfica, but this was no masterclass—it was a match decided by misfortune rather than dominance. In the 18th minute, R. Rios turned the ball into his own net following pressure from A. Garnacho's advance, gifting the Blues an early lead they would cling to for the remainder of the evening. The Stakes were high in European competition, yet the execution on both sides told a story of teams still finding their rhythm in the group stage.
Fernández Commands the Midfield
Enzo Fernández emerged as the match's standout performer, orchestrating Chelsea's play with a rating of 7.7 and delivering the creative spark that kept Benfica at arm's length. His positioning and distribution controlled the Balance of the contest, allowing the hosts to absorb pressure without surrendering their advantage. Trevoh Chalobah provided the defensive steel alongside him, earning a 7.6 rating for his resolute work at the back, while Robert Sánchez made three crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. Chelsea's 56% possession and 88% pass accuracy underscored their control, though their xG of 0.93 revealed they created little beyond the fortunate opener.
Benfica's Frustration Boils Over
The Portuguese visitors matched Chelsea's Intensity with 9 total shots and 0.85 xG, pressing hard in search of an equaliser that never materialised. João Pedro epitomised their desperation in the closing stages, earning a red card in the 96th minute for dangerous play—a moment of indiscipline that confirmed Chelsea's escape. Benfica's five yellow cards and two offsides illustrated a team chasing the game without precision. Despite their 44% possession disadvantage, they forced Chelsea to work for their victory, with both sides trading fouls (Chelsea 13, Benfica 14) in a scrappy encounter.
Key Questions
How did the red card for João Pedro impact the match?
The 96th-minute dismissal for dangerous play ended Benfica's hopes of salvaging a point, leaving Chelsea to see out the final moments with numerical superiority intact.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Survival Instincts Ignite at Stamford Bridge
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 20/100. This is a high-stakes clash where Chelsea aim for the top eight while Benfica fight to break into the playoff spots.
The Setup
The UEFA Champions League league stage returns to Stamford Bridge on September 30, 2025, with a narrative defined by desperation. Chelsea enter this fixture in 13th place, possessing a Balance that has seen them win three of their first six matches. While they aren't in immediate danger, a victory here would propel them toward the elite top-eight direct qualification spots. Conversely, Benfica arrive in West London sitting 25th—just one agonizing spot below the playoff line. Their recent Form is a cause for major concern, having suffered three consecutive losses that have left their European campaign on life support. For the Portuguese giants, the Stakes could not be higher; they are essentially playing for their tournament life.
Key Battle
The tactical heart of this match will be won or lost in the transition. Chelsea’s fluid attacking unit will look to exploit the spaces left by a Benfica side that must eventually commit players forward to find a result. Benfica’s defensive backline has been leaky during their recent losing streak, and they must find a way to maintain structural Balance against a Chelsea midfield that excels at recycling possession and launching quick vertical attacks. If the visitors cannot solidify their central defensive zone, the pace of the home side will likely overwhelm them by the hour mark.
Our Prediction
Chelsea will likely dominate the ball, using the home atmosphere to pin Benfica back early. While the visitors may find a goal on the break to keep things tense, the quality of Chelsea’s Stars should eventually tell. Expect a professional performance from the Blues, securing a 2-1 victory that keeps them in the hunt for the top eight while leaving Benfica with a massive mountain to climb to reach the top 24.