Harpreet Seehra
Elite
Benfica surrendered top spot in Champions League Group C to Manchester United as they allowed Basel back in to claim a point at the Estadio da Luz.
The Portuguese side were dominant in the first half after taking the lead through Rodrigo in the fourth minute.
But they could not turn their superiority into goals and Benjamin Huggel levelled against the run of play after 64 minutes to keep his side in the mix.
Benfica piled on the pressure in the early exchanges with a series of dangerous corners and throw-ins, which ultimately led to the opening goal.
Nicolas Gaitan was the creator, nodding the ball down for Rodrigo to volley the ball home from 12 yards.
Scott Chipperfield had an immediate chance to equalise when he got on to the end of Xherdan Shaqiri's cross but he could not keep his header down.
It was Benfica doing most of the attack though and, amid a host of wasteful long-range efforts, they had chances to extend their lead.
Rodrigo headed Pablo Aimar's cross wide after eight minutes, but it was defender Ezequiel Garay who had the best chance in the 19th minute when he headed an excellent centre from the Argentinian wide from close range.
As the half wore on Basel came into the game more, and Fabian Frei spurned an excellent chance for an equalise when he could not find the target from Jacques Zoua's cross just after the half-hour.
Chipperfield showed good touch in the 38th minute but could not find a shot to match, while Gaitan was equally wayward at the other end after darting in from the wing.
Gaitan started the second half as he ended the first, with a shot wide of goal, while at the other end Frei was considerably closer with a volley which went narrowly over.
Rodrigo volleyed wide at the far post and Garay was off target with a header in the 63rd minute as the hosts piled on the pressure in search of a second.
But they did not get it and paid the price, as Chipperfield broke down the left and played the ball into the centre for Huggel to slide home.
The game opened up after that with both sides creating chances to take the three points, but neither could find a way through.
The Portuguese side were dominant in the first half after taking the lead through Rodrigo in the fourth minute.
But they could not turn their superiority into goals and Benjamin Huggel levelled against the run of play after 64 minutes to keep his side in the mix.
Benfica piled on the pressure in the early exchanges with a series of dangerous corners and throw-ins, which ultimately led to the opening goal.
Nicolas Gaitan was the creator, nodding the ball down for Rodrigo to volley the ball home from 12 yards.
Scott Chipperfield had an immediate chance to equalise when he got on to the end of Xherdan Shaqiri's cross but he could not keep his header down.
It was Benfica doing most of the attack though and, amid a host of wasteful long-range efforts, they had chances to extend their lead.
Rodrigo headed Pablo Aimar's cross wide after eight minutes, but it was defender Ezequiel Garay who had the best chance in the 19th minute when he headed an excellent centre from the Argentinian wide from close range.
As the half wore on Basel came into the game more, and Fabian Frei spurned an excellent chance for an equalise when he could not find the target from Jacques Zoua's cross just after the half-hour.
Chipperfield showed good touch in the 38th minute but could not find a shot to match, while Gaitan was equally wayward at the other end after darting in from the wing.
Gaitan started the second half as he ended the first, with a shot wide of goal, while at the other end Frei was considerably closer with a volley which went narrowly over.
Rodrigo volleyed wide at the far post and Garay was off target with a header in the 63rd minute as the hosts piled on the pressure in search of a second.
But they did not get it and paid the price, as Chipperfield broke down the left and played the ball into the centre for Huggel to slide home.
The game opened up after that with both sides creating chances to take the three points, but neither could find a way through.
