ISTANBUL (AP) β Lukas Podolski scored a first-half winner as Galatasaray secured its first victory in Group C of the Champions League on Wednesday by beating Benfica 2-1 at the Ali Sami Yen stadium.
Benfica, which came into the match as clear group leaders, made a dream start when midfielder Nicolas Gaitan put the Portuguese side ahead in the second minute.
Galatasaray soon recovered and Selcuk Inan leveled from the penalty spot in the 19th minute after a handball in the area by Andre Almeida.
Podolski scored what proved to be the match winner in the 33rd after the Germany forward latched on to a long ball forward from Aurelien Chedjou.
The victory gave the hosts four points in the group, two points less than Benfica and Atletico Madrid, which hammered Astana 4-0.
