Spot-on Benfica make Dynamo pay the penalty

Eduardo Salvio's second penalty in as many matchdays against Dynamo Kyiv, and Ederson's spot-kick save at the other end, sent Benfica to the top of Group B and left the Ukrainian side on the brink of elimination from the UEFA Champions League.

• Match as it happened

As he had done in the reverse fixture 13 days ago, Salvio kept his cool to beat Artur Rudko from the spot. He was afforded the opportunity to score his fifth goal in his last six games after Domagoj Vida hauled down Luisão as he sought to connect with a free-kick two minutes into first-half stoppage time.

Gonçalo Guedes rattled the crossbar for Benfica in an open second period that was at its midway point when Ederson raced out of goal and tripped Derlis González. The former Rio Ave man immediately atoned for that rush of blood, however, diving to his right to palm away Júnior Moraes's low penalty.

Key player: Eduardo Salvio (Benfica)
Another slick performance from Salvio brought him his third goal in this season's group stage. Playing in a variety of attacking positions, the 26-year-old troubled Dynamo with his darting runs, quick feet and accurate passing.

Benfica goalscorer Eduardo Salvio on the attack©AFP/Getty Images

Benfica must sharpen up
Back-to-back victories over Dynamo have Benfica in pole position in a tight section. Rui Vitória's team will nonetheless know that improvements are needed in the finishing department ahead of crucial encounters against Beşiktaş and Napoli. The return of Jonas, victim of a troublesome foot injury, cannot come soon enough.

Dynamo come up short
With Andriy Yarmolenko sidelined, Dynamo lacked a midfield player with an eye for a killer ball. Holding midfielder Serhiy Rybalka has a wide range of passing, but he played too deep to deliver good service to those further forward.

Reporters' views

Paul Bryan, Benfica (@UEFAcomPaulB)
This fixture presented plenty of intrigue, with Benfica often caught between defending their lead and taking the game to Dynamo. Serhiy Rebrov held his head in his hands at full time, no doubt ruing Moraes's failure to score from the spot, but deep down he may concede that his charges were marginally second best.

Bogdan Buga, Dynamo (@UEFAcomBogdanB)
There was no lack of effort from Dynamo, though it was obvious they do not have the same calibre of player as their opponents. Defensive teamwork, effective counterattacking and a bit of luck – or a penalty scored – could have saved the White-Blues, but in the end Benfica proved they were the better side.