Benfica take control of their Champions League play-off with an away win against a Monaco side that have to play most of the second half with only 10 men.

Benfica took a big step towards the Champions League last 16 when they claimed a 1-0 victory at 10-man Monaco in the first leg of the playoffs on Wednesday.

Vangelis Pavlidis scored his sixth goal in this season's Champions League to give Benfica a 1-0 win away to 10-man Monaco in the first leg of their knockout phase play-off tie on Wednesday.Benfica, who are currently second in the Portuguese league behind Lisbon rivals Sporting,

Vangelis Pavlidis scores his fifth goal in three games to give Benfica a 1-0 win away against Monaco in the first leg of the Champions League play-offs.

Benfica took a big step towards the Champions League last 16 when they claimed a 1-0 victory at 10-man Monaco in the first leg of the playoffs on Wednesday. Vangelis Pavlidis scored the only goal early in the second half just before Moatasem al-Musrati was shown a red card after a second booking.