Champions League: Mourinho´s Benfica record first win of league phase

Benfica secured their first win in the Champions League this season after they beat Ajax 2-0 at Johan Cruijff Arena.

Ajax, who remain winless in the competition this term, went behind after just six minutes when Samuel Dahl fired a rebound into the top-right corner with a brilliant finish after Vitezslav Jaros initially denied a header from Richard Rios.

Ajax captain Davy Klaassen squandered the two best chances as the hosts pushed for an equaliser, first seeing his effort saved by Anatoliy Trubin before sending another wide of the left post from close-range, and they were punished in the 90th minute when Leandro Barreiro secured all three points for Benfica with an emphatic strike.

Elsewhere, Galatasaray failed to move level with the early leaders in the competition after they fell to a surprise 1-0 defeat at home to Union Saint-Gilloise.

It was an end-to-end encounter, with the Turkish side creating 1.31 expected goals (xG) from 15 attempts to USG’s 1.63 from 16 shots at RAMS Park. Both sides also hit the woodwork in the first half as Gabriel Sara struck the upright with a long-range strike before Ross Sykes crashed a header against the crossbar.

But the match-defining moment occurred in the 57th minute as Promise David was able to finish past Ugurcan Cakir from point-blank distance after Adem Zorgane squared the ball across the box.

Vitória na #UCL!#AFCASLB pic.twitter.com/6Aj9LVH23Q

— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) November 25, 2025

Data Debrief: Mourinho haunts Ajax again

Mourinho has achieved more wins over Ajax than any other manager in the Champions League (seven), while only two managers have earned more victories against a specific opponent (Pep Guardiola v Shakhtar Donetsk, Carlo Ancelotti v Liverpool – eight).

Benfica’s opener after five minutes and 36 seconds was the second-quickest goal Ajax have ever conceded at home in the competition, behind only Freddie Ljungberg’s strike for Arsenal in September 2005 (01:19).

USG, meanwhile, became the first Belgian side to beat Galatasaray away from home, with all three previous such fixtures ending in a draw.