Bayer Leverkusen cruise to easy win over Benfica in Champions League

Published Oct. 1, 2014 4:46 p.m. ET

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LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) Bayer Leverkusen cruised past Benfica 3-1 on Wednesday for its first victory in Group C of the Champions League.

Stefan Kiessling opened the scoring in the 25th minute after Benfica goalkeeper Julio Cesar fumbled a shot by Son Heung-min, and Son scored in the 34th.

Eduardo Salvio pulled one back for Benfica in the 62nd but, two minutes later, Leverkusen restored its two-goal lead when Hakan Calhanoglu converted a seemingly generously awarded penalty.

Benfica scored from its only real chance of the match after being put under pressure from the start by Leverkusen.

Monaco and Zenit St. Petersburg drew 0-0 in Russia earlier Wednesday and top the group with four points each, one clear of Leverkusen. Benfica is without any points after two matches.