Benfica produced a dynamic performance to overturn a first-leg deficit against Zenit St Petersburg and earn a place in the last eight of the Champions League last night.

Benfica 2 Zenit St Petersburg 0 (Benfica win 4-3 on aggregate)

Zenit St Petersburg secured a narrow advantage in their Champions League last-16 tie against Benfica as Roman Shirokov’s brace helped the hosts to a hard-fought win at a frigid Stadion Petrovskiy last night.

MANCHESTER UNITED’S Achilles’ heel, a defence that has displayed uncharacteristic flaws in Europe and at home so far this season, again cost Alex Ferguson dear following 80 potentially disastrous seconds that leaves them facing the possibility of Champions League elimination.

Manchester United 2 Benfica 2

Wayne Rooney was missing from Manchester United’s squad for this evening’s Champions League Group C clash with Benfica at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka today earned a recall to the Brazil squad for the first time since the 2010 World Cup finals for the international friendlies against Gabon and Egypt.

REAL MADRID made it two wins from two in Champions League Group D with a clinical dismissal of Ajax at the Bernabeu last night.

ALEX FERGUSON praised goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard’s performance in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Benfica as United came from behind to salvage a point.

Benfica v Man Utd