Milik, Mertens star as Napoli crushes Benfica

Milan - Arkadiusz Milik struck his third Champions League goal and Dries Mertens hit a brace as Napoli staked an early claim for a place in the last 16 with a 4-2 win against Benfica on Wednesday.

Milik, signed as a replacement for Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain, headed a brace in a 2-1 come-from-behind win at Dynamo Kyiv a fortnight ago to hand coach Maurizio Sarri his maiden win in the competition.

Sarri had warned of the threat posed by the Portuguese champion in the build-up.

But despite glimpses of promise and a brilliant consolation goal by 19-year-old sensation Goncalo Guedes, the visitors were no match for last season's Serie A runner-up en route to seeing a 17-match unbeaten run come to an end.

Napoli fans had not been treated to Champions League football since 2013, when a side led by Walter Mazzarri was eliminated behind Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.

And after a one-sided opening half, the San Paolo stadium was not left disappointed.

A lengthy period of Benfica possession prompted a chorus of jeers but once Andre Almeida had skied a speculative effort over Reina's bar, Napoli's formidable midfield moved up a gear.

Jose Callejon was poised to pull the trigger on Mertens' superb cross-field ball until a timely intervention deep on the right.

It gave Napoli a corner, and Marek Hamsik was on hand at the near post to glance a header past former Inter Milan 'keeper Julio Cesar.

Cesar, who won the treble with Inter in 2010, admitted Tuesday he had no recollection of winning at the San Paolo in seven successful years with the Nerazzurri.

Benfica coach Rui Vitoria must have wished he had taken the keeper's admission as a portent as Napoli hit three quick-fire goals in succession after the restart.

When Lisandro Lopez hauled down Mertens just inside the area, the Belgian's superb curling free kick from outside the area left Cesar rooted to the spot.

Three minutes later, Milik stepped up to score from the spot after the 'keeper's foul on Callejon. Napoli stretched its lead to 4-0 after Cesar spilled Callejon's right wing cross to see Mertens convert at the second attempt.

It was the first time in Napoli's history it had scored four goals in major European competition, and the score would have been more emphatic without some slack defending in the final 20 minutes.