Chelsea edges Benfica in Mourinho's Stamford Bridge return after own-goal drama
30 septembre 2025
Match Overview
Chelsea defeated Benfica 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League group stage, earning their first three points from the campaign in a tight, tense encounter.
The decisive moment came in the 18th minute when a Benfica midfielder deflected a cross into his own net, gifting Chelsea the lead they would defend for the rest of the night.
Chelsea moved up the standings, while Benfica stayed at the bottom of the table in Group play, setting the stage for a long road ahead for both teams.
Earlier Results and Mourinho’s Return
Both clubs had endured losses in the opening round: Chelsea were beaten 1-3 by Bayern Munich, while Benfica fell 2-3 at home to Qarabagh. The match also marked José Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge as an opponent, adding a layer of nostalgia and rivalry to the proceedings.
Lineups and Key Moments
Enzo Maresca made a handful of changes for Chelsea, injecting fresh legs into the lineup, while Mourinho fielded a mix of experience and youth in his attempt to pull off a result away from home.
The opening period saw Chelsea pressing early and Benfica responding with moments of sharp counterplay. Both sides created chances, but the decisive swing came from the own-goal incident, which settled the match in favor of the hosts.
After the break, Benfica sought an equalizer and pressed with intent, yet Chelsea’s defense held firm. Maresca’s substitutions around the 61st minute reshaped the attack, but there was no additional scoring from either side.
The closing stages brought drama: Chelsea maintained discipline and pushed for a second, while Benfica intensified in search of parity. In stoppage time, João Pedro of Chelsea was sent off for a dangerous challenge, but the Blues still secured the win as the whistle blew.
Historical Edge and Aftermath
Mourinho’s night at the Bridge was steeped in symbolism: a prominent figure returning to a familiar ground, yet on the opposite sideline. Across his storied career against Chelsea, his results have been a blend of continental highs and domestic lows, but this victory will be remembered as a nostalgic chapter in a modern rivalry.
Chelsea now look ahead with renewed confidence as they attempt to climb the group standings, while Benfica must regroup after another European setback. The encounter underscored how small moments—an own goal, a late red card—can tilt a game and a season alike.
Punchline 1: If football were a sniper rifle, tonight Chelsea scored the perfect “own goal—target acquired, chaos achieved.”
Punchline 2: Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge, and the script reads: three points, a smile, and a memory of a ball that decided to do a bit of misdirection as it found the net.
