Salvio penalty enough to seal Benfica win over Dynamo Kiev

Eduardo Salvio's cool first-half penalty was enough to earn Benfica a valuable 1-0 win in their Champions League Group B clash with Dynamo Kiev at the Estadio da Luz.

The hosts wasted chances in the opening half before Domagoj Vida brought down Luisao on the verge of half-time and Salvio slotted home.

Benfica also had Ederson to thank after the young goalkeeper brought down Derlis Gonzalez -- but then atoned for his error by saving Junior Moraes' penalty.

The result leaves the Portuguese side in second place behind Napoli on goal difference on seven points, with Besiktas on their tails a point behind in third.

The hosts dominated the early exchanges with most of the play in Kiev's half but without creating any clear-cut chances before captain Luisao connected with Luis Pizzi's outswinging corner only to head over from 12 yards.

On 18 minutes, left-back Alex Grimaldo's deep cross found Salvio but he squandered the chance with a weak header.

The roles were reversed just moments later when Salvio broke into the box and a neat flick past Evgen Khacheridi found Grimaldo, whose header was well saved by Artur Rudko.

Kiev responded through former Benfica winger Derlis Gonzalez after neat footwork saw him get past Luisao but his tame effort was blocked by the recovering Victor Nilsson-Lindelof.

AP Photo/Steven Governo

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From the resulting corner, Gonzalez headed back across goal but captain Domagoj Vida headed over the crossbar from six yards out.

Both sides had decent opportunities to take the lead before the break, with Gonzalez striking straight at Benfica goalkeeper Ederson and Serhij Sydorcuk blazing wide while Kostas Mitroglu spurned a great chance at the other end.

But on the stroke of half time, Vida hauled down Luisao in the area, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.

The goal spurred the hosts on with Mitroglu spurning two great chances, firstly blasting over when through on goal before striking straight at Rudko.

Gancalo Guedes thought he had doubled his side's lead eight minutes after the break but his rasping drive from 30 yards rattled off the crossbar.

Mitroglu squandered yet another chance after he lofted the ball over Rudko but could only find the side-netting -- and then Kiev were given a lifeline with 20 minutes remaining.

Sydorcuk's chipped pass found Gonzalez in the area and he was brought down by Ederson, only for the goalkeeper to instantly turn from villain to hero with his penalty save.

Substitute Raul Jimenez could have doubled the advantage with five minutes left but his shot went straight at Rudko as Benfica held on for all three points to strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout phase.