Jose Mourinho’s latest visit to Stamford Bridge ended in disappointment as Chelsea secured a slim Champions League triumph over his new side Benfica. The only goal of the match came midway through the first half when Richard Rios inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net.
Chelsea supporters greeted their former manager with chants both before and during the contest, underlining the lasting bond he has with the club. Mourinho, who succeeded Bruno Lage less than two weeks ago, acknowledged the applause by waving towards the stands. Still, he could hardly have enjoyed seeing his midfielder’s misfortune gift his old team the lead.
The decisive moment arrived when Alejandro Garnacho sent Pedro Neto’s cross back across the penalty area. Rios, unable to move clear, deflected the ball beyond goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, leaving the visitors chasing the game.
Late red card adds frustration
Chelsea themselves ended the night with a sour note after substitute Joao Pedro was dismissed in stoppage time for receiving a second yellow card. It was the Blues’ third sending-off in their last four matches. Fortunately for them, unlike against Manchester United and Brighton, the incident came too late to influence the outcome.
Despite enjoying the majority of possession and outshooting their opponents, Chelsea rarely tested Trubin. Garnacho squandered two promising chances on just his second start since joining the club. Near the end, teenage substitute Estevao Willian forced Trubin into a solid save with a stretching header, but the margin remained unchanged.
For Enzo Maresca’s side, this victory ended a lengthy Champions League drought stretching back to March 2023. More importantly, it snapped a run of poor results that had seen their only September success come against League One side Lincoln City in the EFL Cup. The win offers Maresca some much-needed relief before Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League visit.
Fernandez shines against old club
Enzo Fernandez faced a hostile reception from Benfica fans, who hurled objects at him as he prepared to take a corner. But the midfielder had the final say, leading Chelsea as captain and playing a central role in the build-up to the winning goal.
The 24-year-old positioned himself for a close-range finish before Rios intervened, underlining his growing attacking instincts. Fernandez has already scored three times this season with well-timed runs into the box reminiscent of Frank Lampard.
His influence extends beyond scoring. In his last 27 Chelsea appearances, he has contributed to 16 goals, a tally bettered in England only by Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah. With Cole Palmer sidelined by a groin issue and struggling for form earlier in the year, Fernandez’s impact in the final third has been essential.
Maresca has relied heavily on him, with Fernandez starting all nine matches in all competitions so far. On Tuesday, he was the most fouled player and contested the highest number of duels, demonstrating the resilience and authority his manager demands. While Benfica fans remain bitter over his £107m move just six months after joining them from River Plate, Chelsea supporters are increasingly embracing him.
Benfica fail to threaten in London
For Mourinho, another trip to Stamford Bridge ended in familiar fashion. Since his 2010 victory with Inter Milan, he has gone seven away matches without beating Chelsea.
Benfica’s best chance came early in the second half when Fredrik Aursnes nearly levelled. The assistant’s flag was raised, and replays suggested the offside decision was marginal, but the effort failed to change the scoreline.
The Portuguese side stayed organised and compact, with only a few shaky moments from Trubin threatening further trouble. Yet their lack of attacking intent left Mourinho visibly irritated.
The 61-year-old stepped in as peacemaker during the second half when Fernandez faced more hostility from the away section, urging fans to stop throwing objects. Beyond that intervention, however, the evening was short on drama for Benfica, who left London with little to show for their efforts.