adminLISBON. — In-form striker Jonas headed a dramatic injury-time winner for Benfica as the Portuguese champions beat 10-man Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League soccer last-16 tie on Tuesday.
Zenit midfielder Axel Witsel twice went close for the visitors in the second half, while Benfica’s Nico Gaitan was denied by a fine stop from Yuri Lodygin before Jonas nodded in late on after Domenico Criscito was sent off for the visitors. Zenit coach Andre Villas-Boas selected three former Benfica players — Witsel, Ezequiel Garay and Javi Garcia — as the Russian champions played their first competitive match since December 9. — AFP.
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