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Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Lisbon 02/10/2012 - 20:45CET (19:45 local time)
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Benfica - Barcelona 0-2 - 02/10/2012 - Match page - UEFA Champions League 2013
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Clinical Barcelona show mettle at Benfica
FC Barcelona turned on the style in Lisbon to keep up their 100% UEFA Champions League record under new coach Tito Vilanova with an impressive win against SL Benfica.
A goal early in each half from Alexis Sánchez and Cesc Fàbregas proved enough to secure a second successive Group G victory despite a late red card for Sergio Busquets, leaving Barcelona well placed to proceed from the group stage for the ninth straight season. Next up for the Spanish side is a visit from Celtic FC, winners tonight at FC Spartak Moskva who host Benfica in three weeks' time.
Match in 5
- Barcelona maintain 100% record in Group G
- Alexis Sánchez and Cesc Fàbregas score for Azulgrana
- Lionel Messi sets up both goals
- Lima and Eduardo Salvio denied by Víctor Valdés
- Carles Puyol arm injury gives Tito Vilanova cause for concern
Reaction
We played against the best team in the world. We played well in the first half and didn't deserve to be losing at half-time, but Barça were very effective.
Jorge Jesus, Benfica coach
[The injury to Carles Puyol] was a real pity. He has had a lot of bad luck with injuries lately but we also know he is very strong physically and mentally.
Jordi Alba, Barcelona defender
Lineups
 | Benfica |  | Barcelona |
| 1 | Artur (GK) | 1 | Víctor Valdés (GK) |
| 8 | Bruno César 38 46 | 2 | Daniel Alves |
| 11 | Lima | 4 | Fàbregas19 5572 |
| 14 | Maxi Pereira (C) | 5 | Puyol (C)78 |
| 18 | Salvio | 6 | Xavi Hernández |
| 20 | Gaitán75 | 9 | Alexis Sánchez6 |
| 21 | Matić86 | 10 | Messi |
| 24 | Garay | 14 | Mascherano |
| 25 | Melgarejo | 16 | Busquets 88 |
| 33 | Jardel89 | 17 | Pedro Rodríguez2882 |
| 35 | Peréz60 | 18 | Jordi Alba |
Substitutes | |||
| 13 | Paulo Lopes (GK) | 13 | Pinto (GK) |
| 9 | Nolito75 | 7 | Villa82 |
| 10 | Aimar60 | 8 | Iniesta72 |
| 17 | Carlos Martins4684 | 21 | Adriano |
| 19 | Rodrigo | 25 | Song78 |
| 27 | Miguel Vítor | 28 | Sergi Roberto |
| 34 | André Almeida | 37 | Tello |
Coaches | |||
| Jorge Jesus (POR) | Tito Vilanova (ESP) | ||
Referee | |||
| Cüneyt Çakır (TUR) | |||
Standings
Group G
| P | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Barcelona | 2 | 6 |
| 2 |  Celtic | 2 | 4 |
| 3 |  Benfica | 2 | 1 |
| 4 |  Spartak Moskva | 2 | 0 |
Legend:
- P: Played
- Pts: Points
Match statistics
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Minute By Minute
- 89Jardel (Benfica) is booked.
- 88Busquets (Barcelona) is sent off.
The Spanish international is dismissed following a clash with Maxi Pereira. - 86Matić (Benfica) is booked.
- 84Carlos Martins (Benfica) is booked.
Cüneyt Çakır brings the match to an end. Goals from Alexis Sánchez and Cesc Fàbregas give Barcelona their second win in Group G. Benfica, who played well but couldn't find a way past Víctor Valdés, will hope to bounce back against Spartak Moskva in matchday 3.