Previously Benfica had won just once in seven visits to Russia in European competitions. Rui Vitória’s task was made more difficult by the ever-growing list of absentees in defence, having to make do without the suspended André Almeida and Jardel to add to the already injured Júlio César, Luisão and Lisandro López.
André Villas Boas had defensive changes of his own to make, as Domenico Criscito’s red card in the first leg at the Estádio da Luz meant that former Chelsea man Yuri Zhirkov deputised at left back for Zenit.
The Russian club had never made it past the round of sixteen in the UEFA Champions League, whereas the last time Benfica did so, they eliminated Zenit with a 4-3 win on aggregate.
In sub-zero temperatures it was the home side who took the lead in the 69th minute when Zhirkov proved too strong for Semedo out on the left and crossed for former Porto favourite Hulk, to head home from close range.
With the tie all square on aggregate and heading for extra-time it was the visitors who crafted the all important away goal with six minutes left on the clock. Raúl Jímenez’s long range volley was tipped onto the bar and pounced on by Nicolás Gaitan to nod into an empty net.
Late substitute Talisca sealed the win with the last kick of the game to give Benfica their first quarter-final appearance for four years. Portugal’s only other remaining team in Europe, SC Braga, lost 1-0 away to Fenerbahçe on a wet evening at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul.
Mehmet Topal punished the Portuguese side with a late strike as the match appeared destined for a stalemate. Nevertheless, the tie remained delicately poised ahead of the second leg in Braga Thursday night.
On the domestic front, leaders Benfica had a comfortable 4-1 win over bottom side Tondela at the Stadium of Light. Centre-back Jardel got the first after eleven minutes, Jonas added a further two midway through each half before Mitroglou added the fourth three minutes from time.
Nathan Junior grabbed a consolation goal in the final minute for the visitors who must now be resigned to returning to the Segunda Liga next season as they wallow eleven points from safety. Sporting Lisbon won 2-1 at Estoril Praia thanks to two Slimani goals, one at the start of each half. Bonatini reduced the arrears for the home side twelve minutes from time. FC Porto, struggling to stay in touch with the top two, were looking comfortable at home to União de Madeira as Aboubakar (24’) and Herrera (51’) gave them a two-goal cushion.
Moments later Danilo Dias entered the fray, for the island side, and within fifteen minutes the game was all square as the Brazilian bagged a brace. FC Porto had to dig deep and with the clock running down it was Corona who got their vital third goal to secure victory.
Fourth-placed SC Braga suffered a surprising 3-0 reversal at Belenenses, paying the price for resting eight regulars ahead of their game against Fenerbahçe.