Benfica will take a narrow lead to Russia in a fortnight after Jonas headed in a last-gasp winner against flagging opponents.
Zenit looked set to hold on for a goalless draw when Domenico Criscito conceded a late foul, earning his second booking in the process. The defender was still making his way down the tunnel when, from the resulting free-kick, Jonas rose to head in the only goal of the UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg.
It was the victory Benfica sought after their weekend defeat by Porto,but fell short of the backlash visiting coach André Villas-Boas had predicted. Indeed, it was Zenit who had made much of the early running, with their fluid attacking quartet keeping the Eagles grounded inside their own half.
André Almeida and Jardel picked up yellow cards that rule them out of the second leg, but for all their purpose and energy the St Petersburg outfit were not really creating much. Jonas did at the other end, lashing a deflected effort just wide as Benfica asked a few questions of their own.
Axel Witsel, one of three former Benfica players in the Zenit starting XI, had a couple of efforts early in the second half but gradually the Russian side ran out of gas in their first competitive outing for nine weeks.
The attacks of cramp did not go unnoticed and the hosts pressed on. Yuri Lodygin got in the way of one thunderous effort from Nicolás Gaitán but there was no stopping Jonas.
Key player: Jonas
Only Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuaín has bettered Jonas’s haul of 22 league goals this season in Europe’s top divisions and the Brazilian’s class shone through as he took his chance after 90 minutes of frustration.
