AEK Athens 1 - 0 Benfica

AEK scrape crucial victory

Updated: October 1, 2009, 8:14 AM UK

AEK Athens bounced back from their thrashing at the hands of Everton as they edged to a 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Greek capital.

Having lost their first Group I clash 4-0 two weeks ago, AEK earned their first points of the group stage thanks to Daniel Majstorovic's strike two minutes before the break.

Benfica began brightly, with Nascimento Ramires testing Sebastian Saja with an early sighter before Angel Di Maria was inches away from putting the visitors ahead.

He met Pablo Aimar's corner to fire in a shot and watched it bounce back off the post as AEK avoided punishment for their early slumbers.

The hosts got the wake-up call they needed and began to push forward in numbers.

Nikos Georgeas' shot was held by Julio Cesar before Ismael Blanco flashed a header wide from Youssouf Hersi's cross.

At the other end, Di Maria flashed a shot wide, but it was rare attack for the visitors as AEK continued to dominate.

Blanco's volley went just over and the same player then headed wide as the chances came thick and fast.

They finally went ahead two minutes before the break, when Majstorovic got on the end of Ignacio Scocco's corner to head home.

As with the first half, Benfica started the second period well, and Saja had to be alert to push Cesar Peixoto's shot around the post four minutes after the restart.

The AEK goalkeeper was in action again moments later, tipping Javeir Saviola's shot over the bar.

But the hosts soon reasserted themselves, with Hersi testing Cesar with a long-range shot before Blanco fired over from close range.

At the other end, Weldon headed a good chance wide, before Saja kept out Fabio Coentrao's shot with his feet.

They would be Benfica's last sights on goal as AEK shut the game down for the final 10 minutes for their first points in Group I.

AEK next face a trip to Minsk to face BATE Borisov, while Benfica will aim to bounce back against group leaders Everton.