Benfica 0-2 Barcelona

Barcelona opened up a three-point
lead at the top of Group G in the
Champions League with a 2-0 lead at
Benfica - but victory came at a cost.
Centre-back Carles Puyol suffered what
appeared to be a broken left arm and
had to be stretchered off in the 78th
minute.
The Spain international, who was
playing his first match since recovering
from a knee problem, landed
awkwardly after leaping for the ball at
a corner.
Lionel Messi set up both the goals for
the visitors, the first coming after just
six minutes when the Argentinian
superstar crossed low from the left for
Alexis Sanchez to score.
He then created the second on 56 for
Cesc Fabregas, dribbling into the
Benfica box before laying the ball off
for the former Arsenal captain to fire
home with his left-foot.
Barcelona had a massive 75 per cent of
the possession, but they still had
goalkeeper Victor Valdes to thank for
not conceding.
He blocked shots from Bruno Cesar
and Lima in the first half and Eduardo
Salvio later on.
And after seeing their captain Puyol
carried off, Barcelona's night was
further marred when Sergio Busquets
was sent off for lashing out at Maxi
Pereira a minute from time.