Benfica win in Russia to book quarter-final spot

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Benfica beat Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 on the night, and 3-1 on aggregate, to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2012.

Rui Vitoria's side recorded a 16th victory in 17 matches thanks to Nicolas Gaitan's 86th minute header and substitute Talisca's emphatic finish with the final kick of the match.

After a forgettable first half, Hulk had given Zenit the initiative on 67 minutes by levelling the score on aggregate with a header from Yuri Zhirkov's cross.

Andre Villas-Boas' side seemed in control and on course for a second goal that would take then to the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in their history, until Gaitan scored a crucial away goal with a header into an open goal after Zenit goalkeeper Yuri Lodygin had only tipped Raul Jimenez's long-range effort onto the post.

And as the Russians chased two unlikely late goals, Talisca secured victory on the night with a fine drilled finish.

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