MONACO (Reuters) -Benfica took a big step towards the Champions League last 16 with a 1-0 victory at 10-man AS Monaco in the first leg of the playoffs on Wednesday. Vangelis Pavlidis scored the only goal early in the second half just before Moatasem al-Musrati was shown a red card after a second booking.

Benfica took control of their Champions League play-off with an away win against a Monaco side that had to play most of the second half with only 10 men. The visitors went ahead thanks to a superb chipped finish from a tight angle by Vangelis Pavlidis after only three minutes of the second half.

Benfica took a big step towards the Champions League last 16 when they claimed a 1-0 victory at 10-man Monaco in the first leg of the playoffs on Wednesday. Vangelis Pavlidis scored the only goal early in the second half just before Moatasem al-Musrati was shown a red card after a second booking.

Vangelis Pavlidis scores his fifth goal in three games to give Benfica a 1-0 win away against Monaco in the first leg of the Champions League play-offs.

Vangelis Pavlidis scored his sixth goal in this season's Champions League to give Benfica a 1-0 win away to 10-man Monaco in the first leg of their knockout phase play-off tie on Wednesday.Benfica, who are currently second in the Portuguese league behind Lisbon rivals Sporting,

Benfica took a big step towards the Champions League last 16 when they claimed a 1-0 victory at 10-man Monaco in the first leg of the playoffs on Wednesday.

Monaco and Benfica were not initially considered favorites to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. However, whichever team advances from the play-offs starting on Wednesday will no longer be seen as an underdog in a competition where both clubs have already proven their credentials.