Bayer Leverkusen secured their first Champions League victory of the season, beating Jose Mourinho’s Benfica 1-0 at the Estádio da Luz thanks to a second-half goal from substitute Patrik Schick.
Benfica dominated the match and will regret their many missed opportunities, finishing the game with 21 shots compared to Leverkusen’s seven.
Both Dodi Lukebakio and Nicolas Otamendi struck the woodwork in the first half, and keeper Mark Flekken made several crucial saves to keep the hosts scoreless.
The decisive moment came in the 65th minute when Schick, who replaced Christian Kofane, headed home after his initial shot was saved by Anatoliy Trubin.
The loss marks Benfica’s fourth straight defeat in the competition, leaving them near the bottom of the league phase, while Leverkusen moves up to 21st place.
