Benfica 0 - Villarreal 1

Benfica: Rui Nereu; Nélson, Luisao, Anderson (Nuno Assis 84'), Leo; Manuel Fernandes, Petit, Simao, Karagounis (Mantorras 71'), Geovanni (Joao Pereira 71'), Nuno Gomes. 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Barbosa; Javi Venta, Quique Álvarez, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Arruabarrena; Josico, Marcos Senna (Peña 90'); Riquelme, José Marí (Guayre 71'), Sorín; Diego Forlán (Figueroa 52'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 81. Senna. Bent shot through hands of keeper following short free kick.

Villarreal moved to the top of their group after a single goal victory over Benfica, the result taking them a point above Manchester United who lost in Lille. After three draws in their first three games, Pellegrini's side were obliged to win in Lisbon, and the coach put out his best possible line-up, missing only the injured Viera who was replaced by young keeper Barbosa.

The Spaniards were the better side in the first half, with José Marí causing problems in the opening minutes and Diego Forlán shooting just wide across goal later on. Riquelme brought a good save out of Nereu, and Luisao cut out a dangerous cross from the Argentine midfielder with José Marí lurking in front of goal. However the locals could have taken the lead against the run of play close to the interval when Barbosa came out of the area and lost the ball to Geovanni, who fired his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Villarreal were struck a blow though soon after the restart when Forlán picked up an injury, Figueroa coming on and failing to take a chance almost immediately. But Ronald Koeman's side were fighting back, Barbosa having to save from Karagounis and Nuno Gomes missing another opportunity. Both sides had goals disallowed for offside, Gomes for the locals and Figueroa for the visitors, and Guayre came on for José Marí but twice tried to score himself when Figueroa was better placed.

With ten minutes to go though Marcos Senna picked up the ball in midfield and fired in a long shot which bent away from Nereu, the keeper only able to push the ball in to his own net. And after that Villarreal sat back to defend, Quique Alvarez deflecting a shot from Petit and Barbosa making a couple of important saves in the dying minutes. The Spaniards had the three points they wanted, and despite having only scored twice in four games they surprisingly find themselves at the top of their group.