Feb 16, 2016 at 7.45pm UK at ​Estádio da Luz
Benfica
1-0
ZenitZenit St Petersburg
Jonas (91')
Almeida (16'), Jardel (35'), Pizzi (43'), Jonas (92')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Witsel (32'), Garcia (59'), Criscito (67')
Criscito (90')

Result: Late Jonas header gives Benfica slim lead over Zenit St Petersburg

Jonas's 91st-minute header gives Benfica a 1-0 lead to take to Zenit St Petersburg in the last 16 of the Champions League.

In-form striker Jonas headed home in added time this evening to hand Benfica a slim 1-0 lead after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Zenit St Petersburg.

Benfica had more than two-thirds of the first-half possession, but they struggled to create much as Andre Villas-Boas's Zenit held firm at the back and looked to spring on the counter-attack.

Jonas's deflected effort that flew wide and a weak Pizzi shot easily stopped by Yury Lodygin were the only two moments of note from the home side's perspective, while Hulk's dragged free kick was the best that Zenit could muster.

Hulk and Renato Sanches in action during the Champions League encounter between Benfica and Zenit on February 16, 2016© Getty Images

Axel Witsel tested Julio Cesar in the Benfica goal twice in quick succession shortly after half time, but from that point on it was Benfica who looked more like nicking the winner.

Nicolas Gaitan fired straight at Lodygin with the clearest opening of the match from Jonas's knockdown and that was as good as it got for Rui Vitoria's side until the first minute of added time.

Zenit full-back Domenico Criscito was sent off for a second booking by fellow Italian Gianluca Rocchi and from the resulting free kick, Jonas flicked home Gaitan's free kick - his 25th goal of the season - to give the Portuguese side the advantage going into the second leg in Russia in three weeks' time.

The UEFA logo is pictured on an official match ball ahead of the UEFA Champions League
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon31245267204777
2Benfica30251480215976
3Porto31214659263367
4Braga31159751292254
5Rio AveRio Ave30137104038246
6AroucaArouca30111363934546
7Pacos de FerreiraPacos de Ferreira31129104038245
8Estoril PraiaEstoril30126123536-142
9Nacional30107133746-937
10BelenensesBelenenses31910124061-2137
11Maritimo30105154255-1335
12Vitoria de GuimaraesVitoria30811113848-1035
13MoreirenseMoreirense3078153348-1529
14BoavistaBoavista3178162236-1429
15Vitoria de SetubalVitoria30611133852-1429
16UniaoUniao3168172346-2326
17Academica de CoimbraAcademica3159173155-2424
18TondelaTondela3055202652-2620