Zenit crash out of the Champions League after 2-0 loss in Lisbon

Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg failed to reach the quarterfinals after their defeat at the hands of Benfica in the Champions League play-off second-leg match in Lisbon.

The Russian Premier League title-holders could not capitalise on their first-leg (4-3) one-goal advantage and looked a shadow of the team that tore apart the Portuguese club’s defence in Saint-Petersburg.

Zenit, visibly exhausted after Saturday’s RPL tie against CSKA Moscow, were under fire for most of the first half, but conceded only on the added time.

Maxi Pereira was the scorer, helping himself to a rebound after Axel Witsel’s initial shot was blocked by Malafeev.

The Russians tried to up the tempo in the second half, but did not have enough energy to keep things tight at the back and Benfica took full advantage of the fact.

Their incisive counter attacks were becoming increasingly more dangerous until finally, in stoppage time, Oliveira made sure with a nifty chip over the advancing keeper.

After Lokomotiv Moscow and Rubin Kazan were knocked out of the Europa League last week, CSKA Moscow are now the only Russian side still playing in European competitions.

They will be facing Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeo stadium on March 14.