Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica, set to kick off at 5pm UK time but subject to a late pitch inspection due to the freezing weather in Russia.

The replay shows poor keeping from Zhevnov at fault there - weather or no weather, he could have held that or at least pushed it wide. Down the other end Gaitain is covering to head behind for a corner. Almost one from the restart!

GOAL BENFICA! Cardozo's driven free-kick is batted out by the keeper Zhevnov, but he should have held it - he didn't, and Maxi Pereira taps it in. 1-0 Benfica.

Cardozo likes a free-kick, particularly centre-right as he can use his tasty left foot...

Witsel is brought down by Belgium team-mate Lombaerts after a clever shimmy on the edge of the box.

Rodrigo is still down in some pain. They bring the stretcher on...

Rodrigo is receiving treatment still. Alves is adamant it was not worthy of a card but with conditions like these you can't be rough with people.

Alves with a clearance and a shove Rodrigo lands heavily on his knee. Ow. He's in real pain.

Rodrigo on a run down the left but he runs out of turf and it's a goal kick to Zenit.

A dangerous lunge by Luisao on Faizulin, the first booking despite the Brazilian's protests.

Gaitain slides Rodrigo in, he turns Anyukov who responds with a clever block, Zhevnov claiming.

Shirokov tries a through ball but it zips away from Kerzhakov, who had strayed offside and needed to hold his run. He expected it earlier. Zyryanov annoyed as he was fouled in the build-up but advantage played.

Kanunnikov gets a touch but it's swiftly cleared from him by Maxi.

Zenit have now eased a bit more into this match as they look better at coping with the conditions, able to keep it low on the ground despite the surface.

Faizulin with an up and under but straight to Garay who is able to clear.

Hubocan is a hard fellow - he is not wearing gloves. Madman. Benfica now in control of the ball, the players only too happy to keep moving in the cold.

Witsel gets a first real touch of the ball but his pass spins out.

Better from Zenit now as they ease into the match, moving the ball well from left to right. The pitch is a lot bobblier than it should be but playable.

Artur claims as Zenit's first attack sees Denisov clip in a low ball after good work from Kerzhakov.

A short corner routine sees Gaitain cross but Lombaerts clears. Benfica start on the front foot as they try to exploit some pre-rustiness with Zenit.

Cesar swings it in but Portugal defender Alves heads clear. Now Gaitan on the move but Faizulin is back to challenge. Corner.

Hubocan gives away a free-kick around 30 yards out. Cesar over it..