Late Danny strike hands Zenit vital win over Benfica

Zenit St Petersburg kept their Champions League hopes alive with a late Danny strike, which puts Benfica out of the competition.

Both sides went into this game knowing defeat would all but put them out, and Benfica enjoyed the better of the game without taking the opportunities they created.

With the game appearing destined to end goalless, Danny lashed the ball in from close-range after Hulk had spotted the captain's run and picked him out with a clever return pass.

Benfica captain Luisao was shown a second yellow card in injury time to cap a miserable night for the Eagles.

The result leaves Zenit, who lost Nicolas Lombaerts and Javi Garcia to injury, vying for second place in Group C with Monaco.

7' CLOSE! Julio Cesar spills Hulk's powerful free-kick and Rondon is thwarted at the last moment as he tries to scramble it in from close-range. Julio Cesar eventually gathers but that was heart-in-mouth stuff for Benfica.

39' CHANCE! Gaitan races clear down the left and finds Salvio at the far post, but Zenit keeper Lodygin comes out quickly to make a vital save from point-blank range. Benfica's best chance of the game so far.

49' BIG CHANCE! The flag stays down as the ball falls to Luisao, who had stayed up from the corner, but he miscues his shot, which flashes across the face of the Zenit goal.

80' GOAL! Zenit 1-0 Benfica: Danny scores for Zenit against the run of play. Hulk spots the captain's run and plays him in with a clever reverse ball, and Danny lashes it in first time from close range.

90'+1 RED CARD: Benfica captain Luisao is shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Shatov.

Zenit had failed to win in their last six home games in the Champions League (five draws, one loss) before this match.

Benfica have now lost their last three games in Russia.

At home, Zenit are unbeaten against teams from Portugal (five wins, two draws).

Who will take second place in Group C? If Monaco can get a win at Bayer Leverkusen later on Wednesday then those two are in the driving seat. But Zenit will fancy their chances of progressing and their final game at Monaco looks like a winner-takes-all showdown.

Danny (Zenit) - While Benfica's Nicolas Gaitan deserves a mention for his overall contribution to the Benfica cause, Danny stole the show with a very well taken finish and a goal which could have a huge bearing on the outcome of Group C..

ZENIT: Lodygin 7, Anyukov 6, Criscito 6, Lombaerts 6, Garay 7, Ryazantsev 6, Javi García 7, Witsel 7, Danny 8, Hulk 7, Rondón 7. SUBS: Neto 6, Shatov 7, Fayzulin 7.

BENFICA: Júlio César 6, Luisão 6, Maxi Pereira 7, Jardel 6, André Almeida 6, Samaris 6, Gaitán 8, Salvio 7, Pérez 7, Lima 6, Talisca 7. SUBS: John N/A Derley 6.