Bayern Munich vs. Benfica: Score, Reaction from 2016 Champions League, Leg 1

Bayern Munich beat Benfica Lisbon 1-0 during the first leg of the 2016 UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday in Munich at the Allianz Arena.  

Arturo Vidal opened the score less than two minutes into the contest, but the visitors dealt with the German pressure well and survived the first half rather comfortably. Benfica had their chances to equalise after the break but failed to do so, and Bayern squandered a handful of opportunities as well.

The final score means Bayern will defend a slim lead when these two teams meet again in Lisbon, Portugal, next week. The Germans remain the favourites, but Benfica showed on Tuesday they won't go down quietly.

As shared by Bayern's official Twitter account, Douglas Costa and Vidal returned to the starting XI, while Xabi Alonso had a spot on the bench:

Per Bleacher Report U.K., the Bavarians entered the contest with a phenomenal winning streak at home:

Benfica weren't expected to put an end to that run, and the hosts couldn't have asked for a better start, as Vidal opened the score just two minutes into the contest.

The Chilean was left wide-open inside the box and calmly powered a header past goalkeeper Ederson Moraes. Per Goal's Ben Hayward, Bayern manager Pep Guardiola's compliments of the Benfica defence looked a bit odd:

Here's a look at the goal, courtesy of UEFA Euro 2016 France:

The early lead was exactly what the Bavarians needed and opened the door for their typical patient approach with the ball. Benfica found themselves chasing the Germans all over the pitch during the opening minutes, and Ederson was forced into making a nice save to stop Costa from doubling the lead.

Franck Ribery was the next player to try his luck, pushing a shot wide of the goal, and Philipp Lahm nearly reached Robert Lewandowski with an inviting cross. Per DW Sports, the visitors barely touched the ball during the first 25 minutes:

Goalkeeper Ederson was kept busy and rose to the challenge, stopping a stinging volley from Thomas Muller, who took advantage of another defensive lapse from Benfica.

The Portuguese side started to improve, however, and they wanted a penalty when Lahm blocked a cross from Nicolas Gaitan right on the edge of the box. Replays showed the Germany international clearly touched the ball with his arm, and the Bavarians were lucky the official missed it.

On the other side of the pitch, a trick play from a free-kick fooled everyone but Ederson, who charged off his line just in time to deny Muller. DW Sports was impressed:

Vidal's late runs into the box continued to trouble Benfica. The Chile international came close to scoring with another header after 36 minutes, but his effort just missed the target.

The Bavarian pressure increased once again, as the hosts went looking for a second goal, and Ribery fired a spectacular scissor kick right into the arms of Ederson.

But the Benfica defence held until half-time, and Fox Soccer noted the visitors stood their ground during the first 45 minutes:

Lewandowski wasn't involved much before the break, and he tried to remedy that early in the second half. The first chance of the half fell to the Pole. But his finish wasn't of a high standard, and the official had raised the offside flag anyway.

Mario Jardel showed his bravery by blocking a shot from Costa with his face, requiring some medical attention as a result. 

Manuel Neuer didn't have much to do in the first half, but Jonas tested him early in the second half with a shot from a tough angle. Per Bleacher Report's Clark Whitney, the presence of the star stopper only adds to the daunting task of playing the Bavarians:

Ribery nearly handed Benfica the equaliser on a silver platter, but fortunately for the Frenchman, his poor header caused a ton of chaos inside the Bayern box but no goal. Lahm did well to slide the ball away from his own net, and Javi Martinez blocked Jonas' rebound.

Benfica more than held their own during the second half and even had a few chances, but as the end of the match approached, Bayern started pushing up the pitch once again. Ederson again showed his class, denying Ribery with a quick dive.

Lewandowski then squandered two chances to finish on the counter-attack, losing control of the ball during the first and passing when he was alone in front of Ederson during the second. Per Telegraph Football, that should have been Bayern's second goal:

That was also the final chance of the match, as Bayern came away with a deserved but slim 1-0 win.

Benfica will have to feel good about their showing at the Allianz Arena, and while Bayern remain the favourites heading into the second leg, Benfica know there's still everything to play for.

The two teams will meet again next Tuesday at the Estadio da Luz. 

Post-Match Reaction

As shared by DW Sports, Neuer was more than happy with the 1-0 win:

David Alaba was satisfied with the defence's performance:

Per WhoScored.com, Bayern have been kept scoreless just twice in 2016, so the chances they'll score at least once in Lisbon and force Benfica to outscore them by two goals are solid. Top scorer Jonas ran into a booking on Tuesday and will be suspended for the second leg, and with the Brazilian sidelined, Benfica lose their top attacking target and main creative force in the box.

The Bavarians shouldn't start preparing for the semi-final draw just yet, but halfway through this tie, things are looking up for Bayern.

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