- Home >
- Soccer >
- UEFA Champions League >
- Early Arturo Vidal Header Proves Difference Between Bayern and Benfica
Early Arturo Vidal Header Proves Difference Between Bayern and Benfica
A goal in the second minute is all the separated Bayern Munich from Benfica.
OMNISPORT
Bayern Munich earned a narrow 1-0 lead to take into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Benfica after a tight match at the Allianz Arena.
Arturo Vidal gave Bayern the lead in the second minute, powerfully heading home a delicious Juan Bernat cross to put the Bundesliga champions in control.
Thomas Muller forced another save from Ederson with a volley after 20 minutes, then Benfica had a penalty appeal rejected on a rare attacking foray when a sliding Lahm blocked a cross from close range with his arm.
An inventive chipped free-kick over the wall by Thiago Alcantara almost freed Muller before Vidal planted a header into the ground and just over the crossbar as the one-way traffic continued.
Jonas, who was later booked and will miss the second leg, had Benfica's first shot on target after 55 minutes but it was well dealt with by Manuel Neuer, then Bernat's speculative shot went wide.
The visitors, who had won 19 of their last 20 games in all competitions, were pressing hard and Jonas had a close-range strike well blocked as Rui Vitoria's men sought a crucial away goal.
Ederson denied Franck Ribery with his legs after 80 minutes as Bayern looked to kill the tie off and Benfica could not break down a stubborn Bayern back line, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the second leg.











