Benfica stun AC Milan with 2-0 Europa League win at San Siro

AC Milan suffered a damaging 2-0 home defeat by Benfica on Wednesday as the Portuguese side produced a disciplined display at San Siro to strengthen their position in the Europa League.

Benfica made the more confident start and took the lead in the 16th minute. Dodi Lukebakio finished a well-organised attack after Milan’s defence failed to deal with the danger.

The hosts struggled to create a clear chance before half-time, with Benfica taking a 1-0 lead into the interval.

Benfica then extended their advantage nine minutes after the restart when Jakub Kaminski scored in the 54th minute. The second goal left Milan facing a difficult task as they tried to recover.

Milan attempted to reduce the deficit after the 58th minute, but Benfica’s organised defence and goalkeeper held firm. The visitors preserved their clean sheet until the final whistle to secure a valuable away victory.

The result complicates Milan’s prospects in the group at an early stage and increases the pressure on the Italian club’s European campaign. Benfica, meanwhile, move into a strong position to challenge for qualification.

Elsewhere, Sparta Prague recorded a convincing 4-1 away win against Ararat-Armenia.

T. Goudal scored twice for the Czech side in the 20th and 22nd minutes. Jon Mercado added a third in the 53rd minute before Patrick Vydra scored in the 72nd. Ararat-Armenia’s only goal came from Bruno Wilson in the 55th minute.

Omonia Nicosia claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo, with the decisive goal scored by Yuri Balkovich in the 88th minute.

Olympiacos came from behind to beat Jagiellonia Bialystok 2-1. Smit put the Polish visitors ahead in the 20th minute, but Armando Gonzalez equalised for the hosts in the 43rd. Ukraine international Roman Yaremchuk then scored Olympiacos’ winning goal in the 84th minute.

Sunderland edged past AZ Alkmaar 1-0 after Enzo Le Fee converted a penalty in the 66th minute, earning his side three points.

Lyon won 2-1 away at Anderlecht after taking a two-goal lead in the first half. Nicolas Nartey opened the scoring in the eighth minute and Kaito Nakamura added a second in the 22nd. Mihailo Svetkovic pulled one back for Anderlecht in the 61st minute, but the hosts could not find an equaliser.

Bayer Leverkusen beat Celje 2-0. S. Sislar scored an own goal in the 15th minute before Facundo Medina added a second in the 74th.