Chelsea secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Benfica in their UEFA Champions League league stage clash at Stamford Bridge, riding a stroke of luck and steely defending to claim all three points on a tense Tuesday night.

The match’s only goal came in the 67th minute, the result of a driven cross from Pedro Neto that ricocheted off Benfica’s Richard Rios and into his own net—an unfortunate own goal that ultimately settled a fiercely contested affair. The decisive moment capped a period of Chelsea pressure, with Neto’s relentless wing play stretching the visitors’ backline and finally forcing the error.

Before that breakthrough, both sides had their moments. Benfica, led by José Mourinho on his return to Stamford Bridge, created early anxiety for Chelsea’s defense. Luka Bakio saw a shot tipped onto the post by Chelsea keeper Robert Sánchez, who showed sharp reflexes in the first half to keep the score level. Benfica’s Pedro Neto also fired narrowly wide just before halftime, underlining the threat posed by the Portuguese side’s quick transitions and clever movement.

Chelsea, for their part, looked to assert control through midfield play and wide attacks. Enzo Fernández, fresh off a weekend goal in domestic play, orchestrated much of the buildup and nearly scored himself, only to be denied by a smart save from Benfica’s keeper. But the Blues’ efforts were hampered by indiscipline, as they saw a player sent off after a second yellow card in the 68th minute—just moments after taking the lead. The red card forced Enzo Maresca’s side to dig deep, reshaping defensively and withstanding late Benfica pressure.

Benfica pushed for an equalizer, with Garnacho and Sudakov probing down the flanks and Rios nearly making amends for his own goal with a late header that drifted wide. But Chelsea’s backline, marshaled by Badiashile and Chalobah, held firm under duress, sealing a valuable clean sheet.

The Stamford Bridge crowd, who serenaded Mourinho with familiar chants throughout, ultimately celebrated a hard-fought win that keeps Chelsea well-placed in their Champions League group. For Mourinho’s Benfica, the night was a story of missed chances and cruel misfortune—summed up by the own goal that decided the contest.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca hailed his side’s resilience post-match, acknowledging the adversity of playing with ten men but praising the squad’s “togetherness and fight” in a pivotal European fixture. With group-stage margins razor-thin, this narrow win could prove vital in the Blues’ continental campaign.

Key Moments:

• Neto’s cross forced Rios’s own goal (67’)
• Sánchez’s crucial early save off Bakio
• Chelsea red card (68’)
• Benfica’s late pressure repelled by Chelsea defense