Benfica booked their place in the next round of the Europa League with a 2-1 victory over BATE Borisov.
Portuguese finish above Everton in Group I
Benfica booked their place in the next round of the Europa League and clinched top spot in Group I with a 2-1 victory over BATE Borisov.
The Portuguese side only needed a point to seal qualification and they proved too strong for their opponents thanks to a fine second-half showing, with Javier Saviola and Fabio Coentrao on the scoresheet.
Chances were at a premium in the early stages and Siarhey Krivets' 35-yarder, which drifted weakly past Julio Cesar's left-hand post, was the best moment either side produced in the opening 10 minutes.
Oscar Cardozo had Benfica's first effort on goal in the 14th minute but it was comfortably held by Sergey Veremko.
Krivets came close to opening the scoring for BATE with a free-kick from 20 yards that rattled the crossbar after he had been fouled by Maxi Pereira.
David Luiz became the first player to be booked just before the half-hour mark for a foul on Vitaly Rodionov.
Benfica then had to deal with a series of BATE crosses before Cardozo kept the hosts on their toes with a shot that just drifted wide following Felipe Menezes' corner.
Saviola strikes
The second half sprang to life as Benfica forged ahead through Saviola.
Cesar Peixoto provided the assist for the former Barcelona and Real Madrid man, who steered in a left-foot shot from close range for his fourth goal in this season's competition.
Saviola turned provider in the 62nd minute as his pass found Coentrao, who made no mistake from 12 yards.
BATE had a go at reducing the deficit three minutes later when Sergey Sosnovskiy headed wide from a Krivets corner, and in the 69th minute the same combination did produce a goal to bring the Belarusians back into the match.
Benfica substitute Pablo Aimar, who replaced compatriot Saviola in the 67th minute, had a chance five minutes after coming on but drilled his shot wide.
Cesar kept out a header from Alexander Yurevich with 15 minutes to go, and Angel di Maria tried to add a third for Benfica but his shot was fielded by Veremko.
