MTNFootball

Cameroon star Alex Song replaced captain Carles Puyol late in the match for what looked a bad injury to the skipper, but Barcelona still beat Benfica 2-0 in Portugal.

Puyol appeared to suffer a serious arm injury, which gave Song the chance to enter the field.

It was an ugly match that saw Sergio Busquets red carded at the death when both teams were kicking each other.

The win moves Barca in to first place in their group but it comes at a huge cost with Puyol looking as if he could be out for a while.

Barca were the better side in the first half, dominating play as they usually do, but also looking vulnerable at moments.

Benfica had a couple great chances, forcing two good saves from Victor Valdés, but it was the usual suspects who put Barcelona ahead at halftime.

In the 6th minute after some clever passing, Lionel Messi delivered a low cross that Alexis Sanchez redirected into the goal.

But Benfica looked strong at the start of the second half, evening out possession a little, but a moment of lost concentration cost them.

Messi did all the hard work, drawing Benfica players towards him before passing to Fábregas and the former Arsenal man slotted home a low shot past Artur to put Barca 2-0 ahead in the 56th minute.

Benfica did well to fight back and they almost netted an immediate reply, but Valdes was there again in goal for Barca, saving from Eduardo Salvio.

Then in the 77th minute Puyol landed horribly on his arm and was carted off the pitch.

The game nearly boiled over when Sergio Busquets was shown a straight red card in the final minutes.

It was not a very good call by the referee who claimed he'd gone in with his elbow, but TV replays showed there was pretty much no contact.