In a night charged with nostalgia and tension, Chelsea FC secured their first win of the 2025/26 Champions League campaign, edging out a determined Benfica side managed by their legendary former boss, José Mourinho .
The match's solitary goal, an 18th-minute own goal from Benfica's Richard Ríos, was enough to separate the teams in a contest that was more about grit than flair. The victory was slightly marred by a late red card for Chelsea substitute João Pedro, adding another chapter to the team's recent discipline woes .
The Mourinho Homecoming
The narrative of the evening was dominated by the return of José Mourinho to Stamford Bridge. This was his eighth visit to his old home as an opposing manager, yet the Chelsea faithful's affection for "The Special One" remained undimmed . Early in the game, fans in the stands chanted his name, and he acknowledged them with a wave and a kiss .
However, the competitive fire quickly took over. Mourinho was a animated figure on the touchline for much of the game, particularly in the second half as his team chased an equalizer. He was seen scowling at decisions, chuntering at officials, and was even shown a yellow card for his protests . In a poignant moment, he also played peacemaker. When Chelsea captain Enzo Fernández, a former Benfica player, was met with a hostile reception and had missiles thrown at him from the away section, Mourinho walked over to plead with the Benfica fans for calm .
Match Breakdown: How the Game Was Won
The match unfolded as a tight, tactical affair where clear-cut chances were a premium for both sides.
- First Half: Benfica started the brighter of the two teams. Their early pressure nearly paid off when Robert Sánchez was forced to tip a Dodi Lukebakio shot onto the post, and the Chelsea goalkeeper was called into action again moments later to deny Richard Ríos from close range . Against the run of play, Chelsea found the breakthrough. The lively Pedro Neto created the goal, first driving infield and firing a shot just wide, before providing the decisive contribution a minute later. His inswinging cross found Alejandro Garnacho at the far post, and the Argentine's volleyed pass across the six-yard box was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Ríos . The goal settled Chelsea, who saw out the rest of the half with relative comfort.
- Second Half: The second period saw Benfica apply early pressure, though two of their chances were ruled out for offside . Chelsea struggled to maintain the control they had established before the break, with the team's performance level dropping according to manager Enzo Maresca . In search of a second goal, Maresca refreshed his attack, bringing on Estevao and João Pedro . While Chelsea had moments of threat, particularly through the persistent Neto, a second goal proved elusive. Benfica ramped up the pressure in the final ten minutes, forcing Chelsea to defend deeply, but the home side held firm .
- Dramatic Finale: The game's conclusion was fraught with drama. Deep into stoppage time, substitute João Pedro received a second yellow card for a high boot, reducing Chelsea to ten men for the dying moments . It was the club's third red card in their last four matches across all competitions, a concerning trend for Maresca . Despite the late sending off and the ensuing pressure, Chelsea managed to see out the victory and secure a valuable clean sheet.
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Tactical Notes and Manager Reactions
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made five changes to his starting lineup, fielding what was reportedly the youngest Champions League starting XI in the club's history, with an average age of exactly 24 years . This rotation handed starts to Tyrique George as the central striker and Facundo Buonanotte in the number ten role .
In his post-match comments, Maresca expressed satisfaction with the result and his team's effort. "We needed the win, the three points," he stated. "The first half we were much better than the second half... but the effort was very, very good" . On the recurring red card issue, he noted wryly, "At least we learned how to win with a red card!" .
For his part, José Mourinho felt his team deserved more from the game. He lamented the lack of quality options on his bench, stating, "I wanted to bring new energy from the bench. But the new energy does not have as much quality as the players that I took out of the team" . He believed Benfica were stable and organized and "could've come out of here with a draw, which would have been a positive point for us" .
What This Result Means
For Chelsea, this was a vital first win in the Champions League this season, providing a confidence boost after a opening defeat and a recent 3-1 Premier League loss to Brighton . The three points place them in a stronger position in the new league phase of the competition as they aim for a top-eight finish to secure automatic progression to the round of 16 .
For Benfica and Mourinho, it was a defeat that extended their winless run against English clubs to nine matches . While they showed moments of quality, their inability to convert pressure into goals cost them dearly.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea's focus now immediately shifts to a massive Premier League fixture against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday . Their next Champions League assignment is a home game against Ajax on Wednesday, October 22nd, a match for which they will be without the suspended João Pedro
Article co-authored with Brian Kiplangat
