Manchester United continued their charge towards the Champions League knock-out phase as Benfica’s Mile Svilar, the competition’s youngest-ever goalkeeper, was embarrassed by a Marcus Rashford free-kick.
Jose Mourinho arrived at his former club looking to make it three victories from as many Group A matches, with a chance to bring back the feelgood factor lacking from Saturday’s scoreless draw at Liverpool.
Although unable to produce a swashbuckling display, United triumphed in Lisbon as star man Rashford caught out fellow teenager Svilar with a free-kick that secured a 1-0 win.
TWEET OF THE MATCH
STAR MAN
Marcus Rashford: Stepped up noticeably after a drab first half. The 19-year-old was not only a pest on the flank but his ingenuity provided the goal, thanks in no small part to Mile Svilar’s moment to forget. Mourinho will be hoping the injury that forced him off is not serious.
Marcus Rashford (R)
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
When Svilar’s historic night went bad in the 64th minute. Rashford had already tried to catch him out from two corners and managed just that with a whipped free-kick from out wide. The teenager could only carry the ball over the line.
STAT OF THE MATCH
Benfica goalkeeper Svilar replaced Iker Casillas as the youngest ever goalkeeper to start a Champions League game at the age of 18 years 52 days.
RATINGS
BENFICA
Mile Svilar: 5
Douglas: 6
Luisao: 4
Ruben Dias: 6
Alex Grimaldo: 7
Ljubomir Fejsa: 6
Filipe Augusto: 6
Pizzi: 6
Eduardo Salvio: 6
Diogo Goncalves: 6
Raul Gimenez: 6
Subs
Andrija Zivkovic (for Pizzi, 59) 6
Jonas (for Goncalvez, 69) 6
Franco Cervi (for Salvio, 83) 6
MANCHESTER UNITED
David De Gea: 6 (out of 10)
Antonio Valencia: 6
Victor Lindelof: 6
Chris Smalling: 6
Daley Blind: 6
Ander Herrera: 5
Nemanja Matic: 7
Juan Mata: 6
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 5
Marcus Rashford: 7
Romelu Lukaku: 5
Subs
Anthony Martial (for Rashford, 76) 6
Jesse Lingard (for Mata, 82) 6
Scott McTominay (for Mkhitaryan, 90) 6
NEXT UP
Huddersfield v Manchester United (Premier League, Saturday 21 October)
Benfica Aves v Benfica (Primeira Liga, Sunday 22 October)