Turkish delight as Benfica secures win over Red Star

· CNA · Join
Soccer Football - Champions League - Crvena Zvezda v Benfica - Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia - September 19, 2024 Benfica's Alvaro Fernandez and Leandro Barreiro celebrate after the match REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Soccer Football - Champions League - Crvena Zvezda v Benfica - Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia - September 19, 2024 Benfica's Kerem Akturkoglu in action with Crvena Zvezda's Timi Elsnik REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Soccer Football - Champions League - Crvena Zvezda v Benfica - Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia - September 19, 2024 Benfica's Orkun Kokcu in action with Crvena Zvezda's Dalcio REUTERS/Marko Djurica

BELGRADE, Serbia : A fortuitous goal from winger Kerem Akturkoglu and a superb free-kick by his Turkish compatriot Orkun Kokcu earned Benfica a 2-1 victory at Red Star Belgrade in their Champions League encounter on Thursday.

Akturkoglu opened the scoring for the Portuguese side in the ninth minute, converting a cross at the far post from close range.

Kokcu then doubled the advantage a minute before the half-hour mark with a meticulously placed free-kick curl from around 25 metres, finding the net just inside the top right corner.

Red Star reduced the deficit when Felicio Milson was played through and scored from close range four minutes before time, but they were unable to find an equaliser.

Source: Reuters

Sign up for our newsletters

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Subscribe here

Get the CNA app

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Download here

Get WhatsApp alerts

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

Join here