Key man for Benfica was Eduardo Salvio whose darting runs, quick feet and accurate passing caused the visitors all sorts of problems.
But it was from the penalty spot that the Argentinean international was to score the all important goal.
Just before the break, Domagoj Vida hauled down Luisão and Salvio smashed the ball past Artur Rudko for the second time in two weeks.
Gonçalo Guedes nearly doubled Benfica’s lead when he rattled the crossbar at the start of the second-half. Dynamo Kyiv were thrown a lifeline midway through the second period when Ederson raced out of goal and tripped Derlis González.
Thankfully the Brazilian custodian made amends for his rash challenge by diving to his right to palm away Júnior Moraes’s low penalty.
The single goal victory puts Benfica in pole position in a tight section.
Rui Vitória’s side will nonetheless know that improvements are needed in the finishing department ahead of crucial encounters against Besiktas in Turkey later this month before the final group game against Napoli in Lisbon on 6 December.
Attention now turns to Sunday’s Primeira Liga top-of-the-table clash between FC Porto and Benfica at the Dragon Stadium.