FC Zenit took a giant stride towards the UEFA Champions League round of 16 as Danny’s late goal proved enough to see off AS Monaco FC in a tight Group C fixture.
Clear chances were few and far between but, just as it looked like ending in a stalemate, Hulk set up Danny for an expert finish with just 12 minutes remaining. The result means Zenit’s campaign will go to the wire, while Benfica cannot now finish in the top two.
With the teams level on four points each, a win would have moved either into a strong position ahead of the final round of matches and it was Zenit who started the stronger. Hulk’s right-wing free-kick was parried by Júlio César and both Axel Witsel and José Rondón had shots blocked in the resulting scramble, but Benfica survived.
That was in the sixth minute; the next clear opening did not arrive until seven minutes before half-time. This time is was Zenit who escaped as a great run and cross from Nicolás Gaitán found Eduardo Salvio inside the area but Yuri Lodygin was quickly out to block at the forward’s feet.
There were three more let-offs for the home goal in quick succession early in the second period. First Nicolás Gaitán missed the target after shrugging off Witsel, before Luisão found himself with time and space inside the penalty area only to pull his shot across the face of goal; seconds later, Jardel failed to get enough purchase on his header.
Gaitán then delivered an inviting cross that failed to find reward as both teams sought the vital breakthrough. Just as it looked as if one would never arrive, Hulk unlocked the Benfica defence, picking up possession at the corner of the penalty area and dunking in a cross for Danny to smash past César on the half-volley.
With Benfica unable to apply any real pressure on the home defence, their misery was complete when Luisão collected his second yellow card in added time. While the visitors were left to contemplate a group stage exit for the third season running, Zenit’s hopes of reaching the last 16 for the third time in four years remain alive.
Group C Standings
1. Bayer 04 Leverkusen 9
2. AS Monaco 8
3. FC Zenit 7
4. SL Benfica 4
