Chelsea Land Their First Champions League Win After Beating Benfica 1-0

Chelsea secured their first victory of the Champions League group stage with a narrow 1-0 win over Benfica, managed by their former coach Jose Mourinho, in his first trip back to Stamford Bridge in five years.

The decisive moment came just 18 minutes in when Richard Rios mistakenly turned the ball into his own net, handing Chelsea the only goal of the evening. It was the first competitive meeting between the clubs since their rain-hit Club World Cup clash in June, which Chelsea won 4-1 after extra time.

For Mourinho, it marked his 15th time facing his old club, with only four wins to his name across those encounters. Unlike the fanfare of past returns, the Portuguese coach kept his entrance understated. He emerged quietly, took his seat on the bench, and acknowledged the crowd with a kiss when the home fans chanted his name.

Benfica Start Bright but Falter Early

The visitors nearly grabbed an early lead through Dodi Lukebakio, whose sharp-angled effort struck the post before Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez scrambled to safety. Despite their energetic start, Benfica soon fell behind.

Pedro Neto delivered a teasing cross to the back post, where Alejandro Garnacho kept the play alive and squared the ball back across goal. Rios, rushing to cover defensively, sliced his attempted clearance into the roof of his own net, gifting Chelsea the breakthrough.

Second-Half Pressure and Missed Chances

Benfica rallied after halftime, creating openings that unsettled the home side. Their appeals for a penalty were dismissed after Lukebakio tangled with Enzo Fernandez on the edge of the area, sparking brief protests from the visiting bench.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca turned to his bench for reinforcements, introducing Estevao, Jamie Gittens, and Joao Pedro to try and reassert control. However, the substitutions failed to shift momentum decisively.

The night ended on a sour note for Chelsea when Joao Pedro received a second yellow card for a high boot in stoppage time, reducing the Blues to 10 men. It was the third red card in four games for the team, though the result had already been secured.

Analysts Say Chelsea is Still a Work in Progress

Sky Sports analyst Lewis Jones reflected on the contest:

“This was not a spectacle, but Chelsea got the job done. Maresca won’t mind the lack of flair as long as points are secured. Still, there’s work to be done to find balance in this team.

“One standout, though, was Moises Caicedo. His dominance in midfield was clear, winning more duels (10) and tackles (8) than anyone else while also creating two chances. He’s proving, once again, why he’s considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the game.”

Maresca Downplays Disciplinary Concerns

Speaking after the game, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca dismissed suggestions that his side has a disciplinary issue following their third dismissal in recent weeks.

“I always like one-vs-one duels,” he explained. “The Newcastle and Flamengo reds were reckless actions. Against Manchester United, Sanchez just tried to defend his goal. Tonight, with Joao Pedro, I don’t think there was contact, but the action looked dangerous.

“For me, it’s not about discipline, sometimes it’s just better to concede a chance and keep 11 on the pitch. But I’m not concerned.”

This is What Mourinho Had to Say

Jose Mourinho also addressed his Stamford Bridge return, reflecting on the bond he continues to share with the Chelsea faithful.

“I don’t live off memories; I live off results,” he said. “But I thank the fans, and I did so on the pitch. I’ll always have that relationship with them, it’s forever. Chelsea is part of my history, and I’m part of theirs. Maybe one day I’ll come back here with my grandchildren and still feel it.”

On the tactical battle, Mourinho admitted he had identified a potential weakness to exploit but credited Chelsea’s squad depth.

“I thought Gusto was struggling, but then Maresca could bring on Reece James, who’s even better. That’s the quality Chelsea have, they can change the game with their bench.”