FC Copenhagen, Benfica draw 0-0

Copenhagen, Denmark:

FC Copenhagen held Benfica to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday in Group F of the Champions League. FC Copenhagen, which was making its debut in the competition, played offensive and had most chances in the first half. Fredrik Berglund first tried in the 12th minute and Tobias Linderoth later looped a ball over the Benfica net off a free kick. Benfica goalkeeper Quim dived to stop a shot by midfielder Michael Silberbauer in the 28th minute. Seven minutes later, Jesper Groenkjaer barely missed the net. Luisao had Benfica's best first-half chance in the 42nd minute with a corner kick. The visitors took over control of the game in the second half as the Danes began to show signs of exhaustion. Simao Sabrosa had a direct shot at goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen, but the visitors' best chance came in the 74th when Paulo Jorge hit the post. Backed by a partisan crowd at the sold-out Parken stadium, the Danes continued their pressure. Silberbauer and Atiba Hutchinson both had chances but the ball stayed out of the net. Benfica, a semifinalist in last season's competition, traveled to Denmark without injured midfield playmaker Rui Costa. (AP)