Benfica missed its chance to clinch a place in the next round of the Champions League as Benjamin Huggel equalized in the second half to secure a 1-1 draw for Basel in Lisbon on Wednesday.
A win would have secured Benfica's place in the round of 16, and Rodrigo's curling left-foot shot in the fourth minute appeared to put the Portuguese club on the path to qualification.
But Huggel's 64th-minute strike, charging into the area to meet a cross from the right flank by Scott Chipperfield, kept alive Basel's hopes of advancing from Group C.
With two round-robin games left to play, Benfica is level with Manchester United on eight points, with Basel on five and Otelul Galati yet to get off the mark.
Benfica, without suspended coach Jorge Jesus, started brightly and dominated the first 20 minutes but Basel held its nerve and fought back with a composed performance. The Swiss team previously drew against United.
''This wasn't the result we were hoping for but we're still in contention and well-placed to advance,'' Benfica assistant coach Raul Jose said. ''We reckon we'll be fighting Manchester for the top two spots.''
Rodrigo, a Brazilian-born Spaniard, had already forced Yann Sommer into a reflex save in the opening minute when the ball bounced back off the Basel post.
After Rodrigo put the hosts ahead, central defender Ezequiel Garay, unmarked in the Basel area in the 19th, looked set to extend Benfica's lead but he aimed his header wide of the post.
Benfica's defense kept close tabs on standout Basel midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, choking the supply of possession to the Swiss team's forwards and ensuring a mostly quiet game for goalkeeper Artur.
Fabian Frei, a constant threat on the left flank, got a rare chance to score for Basel when he ran in unmarked at the back post for a header he sent wide on the half hour.
Basel was sharper after the break, and Shaqiri crossed from the right for Frei to volley over the bar in the 58th before Huggel leveled.
Rodrigo twice came close from short range as Benfica poured forward but Basel's shrewd tactics kept the home team out.
