Chelsea Triumphs Over Mourinho's Benfica in Champions League Clash

In a thrilling Champions League encounter, Chelsea secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Jose Mourinho's Benfica, marking the Portuguese manager's first return to Stamford Bridge in five years.

By Chris Posiano

October 1, 2025 at 1:14 AM

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Chelsea secured their first win of the Champions League group stage with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Jose Mourinho's Benfica at Stamford Bridge on 30 September 2025. The lone goal of the match came courtesy of an own goal by Richard Rios in the 18th minute, providing the decisive margin for Enzo Maresca's side. This encounter marked the first meeting between the two teams since the weather-disrupted Club World Cup quarter-final in June, which Chelsea won 4-1 after extra time.

This match was significant for Mourinho, as it was his first return to Stamford Bridge since November 2020. The Portuguese manager, known for his tactical acumen, faced Chelsea for the 15th time in his managerial career, with this victory bringing his tally against his former club to just four wins out of 15.

Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge was met with a subdued reception. He made a quiet entrance, taking his seat in the stands and blowing a kiss to the Chelsea fans when they sang his name. Benfica started the match strongly, with Dodi Lukebakio coming close to scoring in the opening minutes. However, their efforts were undermined when Rios inadvertently headed the ball into his own net following a scramble in the penalty area.

In the second half, Benfica pressed for an equalizer but were denied a clear penalty opportunity when Lukebakio and Enzo Fernandez tangled on the edge of the box. Chelsea's manager Enzo Maresca responded by introducing Estevao, Jamie Gittens, and Joao Pedro to bolster his side's attacking Options. However, the latter was sent off in the dying seconds of the match after receiving a second yellow card for a high challenge.

Despite the narrow victory, Chelsea's performance raised questions about the team's balance and functionality. Sky Sports' Lewis Jones commented, "This was far from a classic, but Enzo Maresca will not care. Chelsea are up and running in the Champions League, but they need to improve in terms of their functionality." He highlighted the strong performance of Moises Caicedo, describing him as "probably the best defensive midfielder in world football."