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
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Chelsea
Goalkeepers
R. Sanchez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
M. Gusto 
NPC
81
Minutes
81
Minutes
30%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
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
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Buonanotte 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
71%
Duel Win %
A. Garnacho 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Forwards
T. George
NPC
61
Minutes
61
Minutes
8%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
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 
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
R. James
CAMEO
9
Minutes
9
Minutes
7
Touches
None
Events
J. Acheampong
CAMEO
9
Minutes
9
Minutes
4
Touches
None
Events
R. Lavia
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
R. Walsh
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
J. Gittens
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
50%
Duel Win %
Joao Pedro 
FRIENDLY FIRE
0
Mistake
0
Mistake
3
Fouls
5.9
Rating
M. Guiu
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
Estêvão 
DRIBBLER
3
Dribbles
3
Dribbles
3
Attempts
100%
Success %
Benfica
Goalkeepers
A. Trubin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
A. Dedic
NPC
90
Minutes
90
Minutes
34%
Pass Acc
6.5
Rating
A. Silva
NPC
73
Minutes
73
Minutes
34%
Pass Acc
6.2
Rating
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
0
Mistake
0
Mistake
2
Fouls
5.9
Rating
E. Barrenechea 
SWEEPER
2
Cleanups
2
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
0
Blocks
F. Aursnes
SWEEPER
2
Cleanups
2
Cleanups
1
Interceptions
1
Blocks
Forwards
D. Lukebakio
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
25%
Duel Win %
V. Pavlidis
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
1
Tackles
44%
Duel Win %
G. Sudakov
SWEEPER
1
Cleanups
1
Cleanups
1
Interceptions
0
Blocks
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
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
T. Araujo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Oliveira
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
L. Barreiro
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
100%
Duel Win %
J. Veloso
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
J. Rego
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
D. Prioste
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
F. Ivanovic
CAMEO
13
Minutes
13
Minutes
11
Touches
None
Events
A. Schjelderup
CAMEO
13
Minutes
13
Minutes
13
Touches
None
Events
H. Araujo
CAMEO
8
Minutes
8
Minutes
2
Touches
None
Events
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: 7 GD: +18
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +11
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +8
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -10
P: 7 GD: -12
P: 7 GD: -9
P: 7 GD: -11
P: 7 GD: -10
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Own Goal Lifts Chelsea Past Benfica in Tight Champions League Encounter
Skip It 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.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
Survival Instincts Ignite at Stamford Bridge
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 22/100. 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.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Yes. It is a classic European encounter with massive implications for the knockout stage spots.
What's the predicted outcome?
A 2-1 win for Chelsea, driven by their superior home form and attacking depth.
Where are Chelsea and Benfica in the league table?
Chelsea sit 13th in the league stage, while Benfica are currently 25th.
What is Benfica's current form?
Poor. They have lost three of their last five matches, including three straight defeats.
What does this mean for survival?
Benfica must win to climb into the top 24 playoff positions and avoid elimination.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.