Champions League: Besiktas draws 1-1 against Benfica

Talisca, on loan from Benfica, brings Besiktas back from dead in stoppage time after early lead for home team

By Doga Kirmizioglu

LISBON, Portugal (AA) - The UEFA Champions League match between Portugal's Benfica and Turkey's Besiktas in Group B ended in a 1-1 draw Tuesday at the Luz stadium in Lisbon.

Benfica's early goal came from Franco Cervi in the 12th minute, who converted a loose ball after a powerful ground stroke by Eduardo Salvio from the left wing was deflected by goalkeeper Tolga Zengin.

Mostly a midfield wrangle, the game carried on into the injury time when Besiktas’ Anderson Talisca, who was sent on loan to Turkey by Benfica last month, came up with a spectacular free-kick on the 93rd minute to bring it to dead heat and seal the scoring.

In the other Group B game, Italia's Napoli beat Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv 2-1.

Tuesday’s game in Lisbon was the first match between Besiktas and the Benfica in Europe’s top-tier football tournament.

Besiktas will play next against Dinamo Kyiv in Group B as Napoli takes on Benfica on Sept. 28.

In Group C, the match between England's Manchester City and Germany's Borussia Monchengladbach was postponed due to bad weather conditions.

Kaynak: