A clumsy handball results in a free kick for Astana, which is flung over to the left wing. Almost as soon as it finds Shomko the referee blows his whistle and shows a yellow card to Shchetkin, who is penalised for hauling Sanches to the ground on the edge of the Benfica penalty area.
90' +3
Benfica win themselves a free kick on the left wing, which is taken short and sent to Pizzi, but the midfielder brings a dangerous attacking move to a disappointing end with a poorly hit strike that flies comfortably wide of the near post.
90' +1
D. Dedechko enters the game and replaces P. Twumasi.
Twumasi seems to have picked up a nasty-looking hamstring injury, and he hobbles off the pitch to be replaced by Dedechko. That's a real shame, as the Ghanaian has easily been Astana's best player today.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be five minutes of added time.
89'
Several balls are flung into the Astana penalty area as Benfica desperately try to find a goal that would surely end up being the winner, but each time they penetrate the box the hosts' defence are there to deal with the danger.
87'
G. Zhukov enters the game and replaces F. Kéthévoama.
Zhukov comes on to replace Kethevoama for Astana.
86'
Once again, Talisca and Guedes link up well just outside of the Astana penalty area before the latter penetrates the box and battles with Anicic, but the centre-back comes out on top and is able to shepherd the ball out of play for a goal kick.
85'
Benfica break away quickly through Guedes down the right flank before the winger cuts inside and tees up Talisca. The Brazilian immediately unleashes a thumping low shot but it fails to test Eric, who is easily able to stop the effort.
84'
A. Shchetkin enters the game and replaces J. Kabananga.
Kabananga receives a loud round of applause from the Astana fans as he makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Shchetkin for the final six minutes.
82'
Jimenez and Jardel link up on the left-hand side of the Astana before the latter curls a cross towards the back post, but it's completely overhit and fails to find a red shirt before bouncing out of play for a throw-in on the opposite flank.
Minute
Description
80'
B. Cristante enters the game and replaces Jonas.
Benfica have made their final change of the game, with Cristante coming on to take the place of Jonas.
78'
After spending a few minutes on the back foot, Benfica are bossing possession once again, but with little over 10 minutes left to play they are now content to hold onto the ball as they look to run down the clock.
76'
Twumasi battles hard down the right flank before earning his side a corner. The set-piece is poor but results in a throw-in, which Ilic launches into the heart of the penalty area, where it finds Kabananga, but the striker's header downwards ends up missing the outstretched foot of Maksimovic by the narrowest of margins.
74'
It's now or never for Astana, who are desperately pushing forward as they attempt to find a way back in front once again. They desperately need the win if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the Europa League.
72'
R. Jiménez has scored a goal for Benfica! Assist by André Almeida.
That was a lovely cut back by Almeida, who has looked dangerous in attacking positions since coming on.
GOAL! Benfica have equalised! Almeida embarks on a wonderful overlapping run on the right flank and receives the ball before cutting a lovely pass back to Jimenez, who immediately unleashes a deft flick that takes Eric by surprise and deflects off the inside of the far post before finding the back of the net.
71'
What a chance for Kabananga! Almeida slips in a dangerous position midway inside the Benfica half of the pitch, allowing Astana to break away quickly. A lovely pass is sent into the path of the aforementioned striker, who meets it well on the edge of the box, but his low shot is sent straight into the feet of Cesar.
69'
Canas picks up the ball in a dangerous position in the middle of the pitch, allowing him to break away on a quick counter-attack. He flies forward before trying to tee up Kethevoama, but his attempted pass is slightly overhit and ends up flying out of play for a throw-in.
67'
Kabananga and Twumasi link up incredibly well on the right wing before the latter is set up by a wonderful through-ball, but just as he's about to meet it on the edge of the Benfica penalty area he's dispossessed by a crunching tackle from Lopez, who flies across the box to deal with the danger.
65'
André Almeida enters the game and replaces Sílvio.
Talisca enters the game and replaces A. Samaris.
And the second is Talisca, who takes the place of Samaris.
Benfica have decided to make a double substitution. The first player to come on is Almeida, who replaces Silvio, who seems to have picked up a nasty-looking injury.
64'
Benfica are looking incredibly dangerous every time that they're able to get on the ball, but Astana are continuing to defend extremely well and are increasingly frustrating the determined visitors.
62'
What a save by Cesar! A low 20-yard strike by Maksimovic deflects off the foot of Lopez before hitting the leg of Kabananga. The pace on the ball almost sends it flying into the bottom left-hand corner of the net, but the Benfica goalkeeper gets down well to tip it out for a corner.
60'
Excellent strike by Samaris! Guedes twists and turns on the left-hand side of the Astana penalty area before firing a cross off Ilic and up into the air. The ball looks to go out of play, resulting in the hosts' defenders stopping momentarily, but it bounces on the byline before the Benfica winger sends a cross right onto the foot of the aforementioned Greek midfielder, who immediately unleashes a well-struck volley that flies just wide of the goal.
58'
Jimenez breaks through the Astana back line to get on the end of a poked pass forward, but his run is slightly mistimed and, as a result, he's flagged for offside. Clearly frustrated with the decision, the Mexican blasts the ball over the top of the crossbar, resulting in the home fans screaming for a second booking, but the referee decides against it and only awards a free kick.
56'
Chance for Astana! Postnikov dispossesses Guedes with a hefty tackle near the halfway line and immediately breaks forward on a quick counter-attack. He moves the ball to Kabananga, who then tees up Twumasi, but the latter's low cross-cum-shot ends up flying just a yard or so past the outstretched foot of the aforementioned striker. Any sort of contact surely would have sent it flying into the back of the net.
54'
Eliseu flies past several Astana players before beating Ilic with a wonderful through-ball that penetrates the penalty area. It almost meets Guedes but, once again, Eric is there to cut out the danger at the vital moment.
52'
Kabananga drifts out to the left and charges forward before trying to fire a powerful cross into the penalty area, but it's sent too near to Cesar and, as a result, it's easily stopped by the Brazilian goalkeeper.
50'
R. Cañas gets yellow.
And now Canas enters the referee's book for a cynically tripping Guedes after being beaten by the Benfica winger.
Astana break away on a quick counter-attack through Twumasi, who flies down the right flank and heads towards the byline, but he's unable to find a way past Sanches, who tracks back well before dispossessing the Ghanaian with a great tackle.
49'
Jonas cynically clips Canas on the back of the leg as the Colombian holds onto the ball near the halfway line, leaving the referee with no choice but to show him a yellow card.
48'
Jonas gets yellow.
What a chance for Guedes! Sanches breaks through the middle of the pitch before teeing up the aforementioned winger with an absolutely wonderful pass into the Astana box, but Eric charges out and does well to meet the ball first.
47'
Jimenez immediately flies down the left flank before battling with Postnikov, but the Mexican ends up hauling the centre-back to the ground, resulting in a free kick for Astana deep inside their own half of the pitch.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45' +2
Twumasi goes close! The Ghanaian, who has been the danger man for Astana this half, flies down the right flank on a brilliant run before trying to beat Cesar with a great shot from 30 yards out, but it ends up missing the near post by the narrowest of margins. What a goal that would have been!
45'
Great strike by Shomko! The resulting set-piece is chipped over to the left-back, who meets it just outside of the Benfica penalty area before unleashing a thumping volley that swerves through the sea of players inside the penalty area before bouncing just wide of the far post.
44'
L. López gets yellow.
Big moment for the referee! Twumasi flies through the disjointed Benfica back line to get onto the end of a pass forward from Kabananga, but just as he's about to make contact with the ball he's cynically shoulder-barged by Lopez. The Astana players scream for a red card as the Argentine was clearly the last man, but the referee decides to only show him a yellow.
42'
Benfica are looking incredibly confident thanks to that goal, and they are now desperately pushing forward in numbers as they look to find an equaliser before the half-time break.
40'
R. Jiménez has scored a goal for Benfica! Assist by Jonas.
All three of the game's goals have come as a result of great crosses, and Jonas' volleyed pass was arguably the pick of the bunch.
GOAL! Benfica are right back in the game! Jonas picks up the ball on the right wing and sends a wonderful cross right onto the head of Jimenez, who jumps high before beating Eric with a bullet header that leaves the Astana goalkeeper with no chance whatsoever. Game on!
39'
Muzhikov clumsily handles the ball midway inside the Astana half of the pitch, resulting in yet another free kick for Benfica. Once again it's flung into the heart of the penalty area, but Anicic is there to meet the ball before Kabananga thumps it away with a powerful volley.
38'
What a strike by Jonas! The striker skips past a group of Astana players and finds space 25 yards away from goal before unleashing an excellent shot. It comfortably beats Eric and looks set for the top left-hand corner of the net but somehow ends up swerving just wide of the far post.
36'
Benfica win themselves a free kick midway inside the Astana half of the pitch, and it's curled into a great position next to the penalty spot. It finds the head of Jardel, but the captain can only send his effort bouncing well wide of the goal.
35'
And now Pizzi goes close! Sanches flicks a lovely pass straight into the feet of the aforementioned winger, who immediately unleashes a thumping volleyed strike that Eric does well to parry away with a strong diving save.
33'
Chance for Jimenez! The striker brings the ball down well in front of the Astana goal and spins quickly before trying to get a shot away from close range, but at the vital moment he's dispossessed by a great tackle from Postnikov.
31'
M. Aničić has scored a goal for Astana! Assist by F. Kéthévoama.
Kethevoama's free kick was so good that it didn't even need a touch from Anicic, as it looked to be swerving into the back of the net even before the defender meet it with his neck.
GOAL! It's 2-0! A high boot results in another free kick for Astana, this time on the left flank, and Kethevoama sends a wonderful curling cross towards the edge of the six-yard box. It finds Anicic, who is left completely unmarked by the sleeping Benfica defence, allowing him to flick the ball off the back of his neck and into the bottom right-hand corner of the net to double the hosts' lead.
29'
Ilic is fouled by Eliseu on the right flank, resulting in a free kick for Astana in a dangerous position. The set-piece is curled into the heart of the penalty area, where it finds Canas, but the Colombian can only send his attempted headed effort looping up into the air and, eventually, into the hands of Cesar.
27'
After winning the ball back deep inside their own half of the pitch, Astana attempt to break away on a quick counter-attack through Kabananga, but as soon as the big striker crosses the halfway line he's muscled off the ball by Samaris.
26'
Lovely play by Benfica! Sanches picks out Eliseu with a lovely lofted pass out to the left wing, and the full-back then beats two Astana players before swinging a cross into the penalty area. There are two red shirts waiting for the ball, but Jonas' first touch is poor and sends it bouncing out to the opposite flank.
24'
After spending several moments receiving medical treatment, Postnikov is eventually bandaged up and the game gets underway once again.
22'
R. Jiménez gets yellow.
Jimenez battles in the air with Postnikov and ends up catching the latter in the face with his arm, leaving the centre-back in a heap on the floor and in serious discomfort. After receiving a long talking-to from the referee, the Mexican striker is also shown a yellow card.
21'
Guedes, who has arguably been Benfica's most impressive players thus far, twists and turns 25 yards away from the Astana goal before unleashing a thumping shot, but he's slightly off-balance when making contact with the ball and ends up sending his strike well over the top of the crossbar.
19'
P. Twumasi has scored a goal for Astana! Assist by J. Kabananga.
GOAL! Astana have taken the lead! The hosts immediately come back at Benfica, with Kabananga charging down the left flank on a quick counter-attack. He then whips an absolutely excellent cross into the heart of the penalty area, where it falls perfectly on the head of Twumasi, and this time the Ghanaian beats Cesar with a brilliant close-range header. What a start by the hosts!
What an excellent cross that was by Kabananga! He put it on a plate for Twumasi after doing well to find a pocket of space down the left wing.
18'
What a chance for Astana! Kethevoama beats Silvio on the left wing before sending an excellent cross over to the far post, where it finds Twumasi, but the flight of the pass takes the Ghanaian by surprise and he's unable to make any sort of decent contact with the ball.
16'
Pizzi picks up the ball inside the Benfica half of the pitch before embarking on a quick run down the right flank. He plays a lovely one-two with Jonas before curling a cross towards Guedes, but it's poorly hit by the midfielder and, as a result, it ends up missing the aforementioned winger.
14'
The resulting set-piece is only half dealt with by the Astana defence, allowing Guedes to unleash a low, first-time shot from 25 yards out. It's well hit and flies through the sea of yellow shirts in front of him, but it's sent too near to Eric and is easily stopped as a result.
13'
Guedes twists and turns on the left flank and penetrates the Astana penalty area before unleashing a thumping strike. It takes a heavy deflection off Postnikov that almost sends it bouncing into the back of the net, but it ends up flying agonisingly wide of the far post and out of play for another Benfica corner.
12'
The visitors earn themselves another corner on the right wing, and once again it's curled into an extremely dangerous area. This time it finds Lopez, who beats his marker before meeting the ball with his head. He's unable to get enough power on his header, however, which allows Eric to comfortably save the effort.
10'
Benfica move the ball around quickly in the middle of the pitch, with Samaris and Jonas playing an important role in the attacking move. The latter eventually tees up Sanches, who then unleashes the first shot of the game, but his audacious 30-yard strike fails to trouble Eric.
9'
An Astana attacking move breaks down on the right-hand side of the Benfica penalty area thanks to strong defending by Jardel, allowing the visitors to fly away on a quick counter-attack. Silvio charges down the right wing before earning his side a corner, which is flung into a dangerous area inside the box, but there's nobody there to meet it, much to the frustration of Rui Vitoria.
7'
Again, Benfica find space down the left flank, and this time it's Eliseu who sprints forward before beating Ilic. The full-back then tries to swing a cross into the box but his attempted pass is scuffed completely and, as a result, it sails out of play for a goal kick.
5'
Guedes does well to burst down the left wing before spinning and finding Sanches. The youngster controls the ball well before flying to play a quick one-two with the aforementioned winger, but his attempted pass is poorly hit and can only find a yellow shirt on the edge of the Astana penalty area.
3'
After a positive start from Astana, Twumasi tries to set up Kabananga with a lofted pass over the top of the Benfica defence, but it's slightly overhit and ends up bouncing into the hands of Cesar.
1'
And we're off!
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Champions League group stage game between Astana and Benfica at the Astana Arena.
Three victories from four games means that Benfica head to Kazakhstan top of Group C, and they will be well aware that another win this afternoon will confirm their place in the knockout stage of the competition. The Portuguese side will be confident about their chances of doing so after September’s 2-0 win against their opponents back in Lisbon, but it’s likely to be far from easy for the Eagles. Astana are yet to be beaten at home in the Champions League, picking up impressive draws against Galatasaray and Atletico Madrid, whilst in all competitions they have only lost twice at the Astana Arena since September 2014.
That impressive home record has filled Astana coach Stanimir Stoilov with plenty of belief ahead of today’s game, and in the build-up to the clash he has described the Astana Arena as their “castle”. It has certainly felt like that for opposing teams, and the Kazakh side desperately need to record another positive result if they are to have any chance of keeping alive their chances of qualifying for the Europa League. With five points separating them and second-place Atletico, their hopes of reaching the final 16 of the Champions League are all but over, but they lie just two points behind Galatasaray, meaning that a win this afternoon would set them up for a winner-takes-all clash in Istanbul in two weeks’ time.
Stanimir Stoilov has decided to make four changes to the Astana side that started the Kazakhstan Cup final defeat against Kairat on the weekend, with Branko Ilic, Roger Canas, Foxi Kethevoama and Junior Kabananga returning to the starting line-up to replace Abzal Beysebekov, Tanat Nuserbayev, Baurzhan Dzholchiev and Georgiy Zhukov.
Meanwhile, Benfica boss Rui Vitoria has also made four alterations to the side that featured in the defeat against rivals Sporting Lisbon on Saturday, with Luisao, Nicolas Gaitan, Talisca and Kostas Mitroglou making way for Lisandro Lopez, Renato Sanches, Jonas and Raul Jimenez, respectively.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: ASTANA 2-1 BENFICA
That was arguably the best first half of football that Group C has seen this campaign. Both sides are absolutely desperate for the win, albeit for very different reasons, and as a result we have been treated to thoroughly exciting end-to-end stuff. Astana have impressed and deservedly lead, with Kabananga and Twumasi looking particularly dangerous whenever they're able to get on the ball. At the other end, Benfica have struggled slightly, but Jimenez's well-taken goal has filled them with confidence, and, as a result, the second period is guaranteed to be even closer than the first.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: ASTANA 2-2 BENFICA
In the end, Benfica are just about able to come away with a point that could prove to send them into the knockout stage if results go their way. Astana will feel hard done by after putting in such a good performance, but they can be pleased with their display, which turned this into an incredibly entertaining contest between two determined teams.
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