Häcken has had a lead-heavy start to the Champions League adventure with two straight group game losses against the big teams Lyon (0-3) and Bayern Munich (0-4).
It was far in even against Benfica – but with a quarter left, Elin Rubensson put the match-deciding 1-0 goal on penalty.
A victory that means that Häcken passes the Portuguese team in the table and goes up to third place. One point behind Bayern Munich, who fell 1-2 against Lyon.
After an even and right poor chance first half flashed it to properly in the second.
Benfica had a golden opportunity to take the lead on a free kick immediately after the break, but Jennifer Falk stretched out and made an impressive save.
The hedge was put under pressure and just minutes later, Benfica striker Francisca Nazareth fired a well-placed shot that took the post.
When Hisingelagets Striker Stina Blackstenius was also forced to break with a suspected injury, the situation looked dark. The national team player was comforted on the bench where she sat with her left knee wrapped.
Then came the turnaround.
With a quarter of an hour left to play, incoming Stine Larsen came free in the penalty area before she was hijacked by a Benfica defender and the referee decided to award a penalty.
Elin Rubensson sent in the cold goal for Häcken, the team’s first in this year’s Champions League group stage.
That would be enough all the way for Häcken, who thus also takes his first victory in the European game.
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