Benfica smashes and grabs for 3 points at Atletico Madrid

An incisive pass followed by a calm finish from a teenager was the difference as Portuguese top-flight champs Benfica stole a vital victory against Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon Stadium on Wednesday.

It was nothing less than a classic case of smash-and-grab for a side that now sits atop Group C after a match where few would have favoured Rui Vitoria's side.

A dazzling pass from midfielder Nicolas Gaitan in the 51st minute picked out a streaking Goncalo Guedes, leaving the Portuguese teenager little more to do than chip home a clinical finish indicative of a player ten years his senior.

It was brilliant work from the youngster, who slotted it past a flat-footed Jan Oblak with nary a yard of space to work with and gave his side a 2-1 lead.

Guedes' composure was enough to snatch the three points from the 2013-14 finalists. That's not to say Atletico didn't have its opportunities.

Diego Simeone's lot will feel hard done by. The capital club registered 22 shots, six of which were on target, coupled with 12 corners and 55 percent possession.

Atletico opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when a Juanfran diagonal ball found Antoine Griezmann in the middle of the box. His one-touch pass hit Angel Correa, before the Argentine fired it past a lunging Julio Cesar.

Before Gaitan played provider, he took matters into his own hands, firing home an equalizer that took a wicked bounce nine minutes before the interval to give the Portuguese hope.

Benfica became the first away side to win against Atletico under the tutelage of Simeone, who joined the Rojiblancos in 2011.

Besides the result, the match will also provide hope for fans of the Portuguese national side, as the 18-year-old Guedes and 21-year-old Lisbon-born Nelson Semedo bossed the match from the opening whistle.