Benfica vs Barcelona, 1st Leg

A fine nil nil draw, but Barcelona will be kicking themselves. The Catalans had by far the best chances but Benfica too will be disappointed to not have socred. In truth though Barcleona should have put this tie out of their reach. That they have not makes the return leg all the more interesting and ensures Benfica will travel to the Nou Camp with more than a little hope.

FULL TIME

Some wonderful play from Simao on the right flank to totally bamboozle Barca but the cross from the right goes out of play.

Karagounis is brought down by Gabri on the edge of the Barca area. Simao stands over the ball but his shot ends up harmlessly in Valdes' arms.

Beto hits a ball to Simao on the right flank but there is nobody there to meet his cross in to the area. Simao has played very well tonight.

Barca are awarded a contentious corner. The ball clearly struck Van Bommel and the decision brings a volley of missiles on to the pitch from the crowd. Thankfully for the referee the corner comes to nothing.

Karagounis hits a brilliant cross field ball to Simao who dinks a wonderful ball in to Petit's path. He goes down in the area but it was nevera penalty this time.

The free kick from Karagounis takes Valdes by surprise and goes through his defensive wall. It fails to hit the target and spins in to the crowd behind Valdes' goal.

Ronaldinho shows great resereves of strengths to dart away in the midfield but his pass does not reaceh Eto'o. AS Benfica break, Belletti hacks down Miccoli and is booked.

Iniesta is penalised in a position similar to that from which Benfica scored against Liverpool in the previous round. Petit floats it in but Benfica are penalised almost immediately for pushing in the area.

Ronaldinho teases a ball in to Benfica's area but Moretto claims it well.

Belletti feeds Eto'o at the other end but the ball gets caught under his feet and the chance fails to materialise as Benfica get back in numbers.

A free kick in a promising area is wasted by Petit and Barca clear.

The crowd are urging Benfica on. You feel they have to score here to give themselves a chance in the second leg.

The Catalans are knocking the ball about between defence and midfield, probing Benfica for any openkngs. They lose the ball and Miccoli breaks in to a dangerous area before Petit feeds Simao who nearly scores. Good save from Valdes.

Barca seem to have taken their foot off the pedal a little and the chances are not coming so thick and fast now. They will be rueing their earlier missed opportunities if they do not win this game.

Benfica try to breach Barca's defence but can't find a way through. Now the Catalans zip up the park but they too can't find a way though. Larsson is taken off and replaced by Ludovic Guily. Deco too leaves the pitch to be replaced by Gabri. Possibly a wise move in light of his booking.

Now Deco is booked for complaining too voiceferously.

Barcleona are fortunate not to concede a penalty. Motta clearly handles the ball and Miccoli is booked for protesting too much. What's the phrase? Seen them given.

Deco is fouled by Simao and calls for the yellow card to be shown, which it should have been.

Some good tracking back from Eto'o stops Simao on midfield.

Karagounis comes on for Benfica in place of Geovanni.

Petit and Beto show some good touches but Beto spoils the move with a poor pass which drifts out of play.

The Brazilian takes it and nearly floats the ball in to Moretto's right hand corner.

Ronaldinho and Deco stand over the ball in a dangerous area to take a free kick.