Bayer Leverkusen Edges Benfica 1-0 in UCL

Patrik Schick's header gives Leverkusen 1-0 win over Benfica

Bayer Leverkusen secured their first win of the UEFA Champions League league phase with a 1-0 victory over SL Benfica in Lisbon.

The decisive moment came when Patrik Schick latched onto Alex Grimaldo's through pass...

Bayer Leverkusen secured their first win of the UEFA Champions League league phase, edging past SL Benfica 1-0 in Lisbon. This victory marked only their second away win in 11 attempts in the competition.

The match started tentatively, with neither team able to assert dominance. Dodi Lukebakio had the first significant chance, racing onto Richard Rios' long ball and hitting the post with a chip. Leandro Barreiro also had a promising opportunity, beating Edmond Tapsoba in the air to head Heorhiy Sudakov's cross, but it sailed wide of the target.

Despite the chaotic nature of the game, Benfica dominated the chances, with Nicolas Otamendi's header from a corner hitting the crossbar, showcasing their attacking threat.

Leverkusen, having lost only once in the Bundesliga under Kasper Hjulmand, had struggled in Europe, but they created a promising opportunity when Ernest Poku was played through by Ibrahim Maza, only to toe the ball wide.

Schick secures the three points 🫡#UCL pic.twitter.com/lw8LJ7ppoP

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 5, 2025

Benfica would have been frustrated to head into halftime level, especially after Vangelis Pavlidis failed to capitalize on a clear chance, somehow missing an open net.

Pavlidis, who has already scored 13 competitive goals this season, had another opportunity slip away when Mark Flekken swooped in to steal the ball as Pavlidis tried to dribble past him.

Benfica's failure to capitalize on their chances ultimately proved costly, as Leverkusen's fortunes shifted after Kasper Hjulmand's tactical changes.

IBBBBBOOOOOOOO! 🇩🇿💫 pic.twitter.com/COEdnxdeLh

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) November 5, 2025

The decisive moment came when Patrik Schick latched onto Alex Grimaldo's through pass, and although he initially couldn't beat Anatoliy Trubin, he was gifted a second chance when Samuel Dahl headed the ball straight back to him. Schick didn't miss the opportunity, nodding the ball past the Benfica goalkeeper to secure the win for Leverkusen.

As the match drew to a close, Benfica's frustration grew, but their efforts were in vain. Dodi Lukébakio's wayward shot was their closest chance in the final exchanges.

The defeat leaves Benfica in a precarious situation, still searching for their first point in the league phase and without a goal since matchday one. In contrast, Leverkusen's win and solid defensive display have boosted their standings, propelling them into the top 24.