Vangelis Pavlidis scored his sixth goal in this season's Champions League to give Benfica a 1-0 win away to 10-man Monaco in the first leg of their knockout phase play-off tie on Wednesday. Benfica, who are currently second in the Portuguese league behind Lisbon rivals Sporting,

Benfica took a step towards the Champions League last 16 with an away victory in Monaco thanks to a superbly taken second-half goal from in-form Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis.

The first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoffs continues on Wednesday, when Monaco host Benfica as both sides chase a spot in the round of 16. This tie is a rematch of a league phase encounter from November,

Here’s how to watch the Champions League match on TV and live stream in the United States as well as the latest team news. The Sporting News takes you through all the information you need to follow the game.

Monaco head coach Adi Hütter claimed Wednesday night's opponents Benfica were the slight favourites in the two-leg play-off for a place in the last-16 of the Champions League.

Monaco and Benfica were not initially considered favorites to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. However, whichever team advances from the play-offs starting on Wednesday will no longer be seen as an underdog in a competition where both clubs have already proven their credentials.