Schalke 2-0 Benfica: Farfan & Huntelaar Fire Germans To Victory

狄.龍

The Koenigsblauen outclassed the Aguias for large parts of the game and deservedly picked up the full three points...

By Stefan Coerts

Bundesliga side Schalke are back in contention for a spot in the first knock-out round of the Champions League after beating Portuguese champions Benfica 2-0 in Gelsenkirchen. Peruvian striker Jefferson Farfan netted the opener in the 73rd minute before Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored five minutes before the final whistle.

The home side made a superb start to the match and needed only ten minutes to find the net for the first time via Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. However, the prolific hitman's goal was disallowed for offside. The Dutch international found the net once more about ten minutes later, but the goal again didn't stand due to an alleged offside situation.

Former Real Madrid star Raul came close to breaking the deadlock as well with a superb shot minutes before the interval. Nevertheless, the Spanish attacker's shot came back off the upright before being cleared into safety.

Benfica got some good chances to open the scoring themselves, too, but the Portuguese champions showed some sloppy finishing. Javier Saviola should have added his name to the score sheet from six yards out, but aimed wide of the left post.

Paraguayan international Oscar Cardozo also tried his luck from inside the area, but the striker's header went over the bar. Full-back Fabio Coentrao came close with a powerful shot just inside the area, but his attempt was eventually blocked by a Schalke defender.

Both sides were struggling a bit to find their best form after the interval, but Schalke eventually picked up a deserved lead after 73 minutes of play. Farfan controlled a cross by Lukas Schmitz from the left side of the box and unleashed a precise finish from the opposite side of the penalty to break the deadlock.

Huntelaar then finally got his goal in the dying minutes of the game to put the match to bed. Substitute Jermaine Jones found the former Milan attacker with a good cross and Huntelaar calmly slotted home from close range.

Schalke have climbed to second spot in the table in Group B following Wednesday's results with three points from two games. Benfica drop to third spot with three points as well. Both sides are trailing leaders Olympique Lyonnais who have six points.

The Gelsenkirchen side travel to Nuernberg at the weekend looking for their second Bundesliga win of the season, while Benfica host Sporting Braga on Sunday in the Portuguese league.

Source: Goal.com

Huntelaar + Raul + Neuer + Metzelder

巫師

開季失得太多好難追.....