Oporto, Aug 28: Lazio beat Benfica 4-1 on aggregate to move into the main draw of the Champions League
Lazio progressed into the group stage of the Champions League with a 1-0 win at Benfica on Wednesday (August 27) to give them a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. The Italian side, having won the first leg 3-1 in Rome two weeks ago, put the result beyond doubt after 28 minutes when Cesar scored with a fine header from Stefano Fiore's cross. Benfica, playing the match at Oporto's Bessa stadium because their own Lisbon venue is under construction for the finals of next year's European championship, rarely troubled the Lazio defence and were fortunate not to go further behind when Fernando Couto's header struck the bar 13 minutes from time. Benfica's Miguel did force a fine save from goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi in the final moments of the game, but by then Lazio were certain of being in Thursday's (August 28) Champions League draw.


Bureau Report