Benfica's Alex Grimaldo shots from free kick to score his side opening goal during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press
LISBON, Portugal (AP) - Benfica finished its Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over AEK Athens on Wednesday.
Both teams were out of contention for the knockout stage, and Benfica had already secured third place and a spot in the round of 32 of the Europa League.
Alex Grimaldo scored the winner in the 88th minute with a well-struck free kick over the wall.
"We had a good match, deserved the win," Grimaldo said. "We tried until the end, I am happy that we did it."
Bayern Munich won Group E with 14 points, two more than Ajax. Benfica finished with seven points, while AEK Athens had zero after losing all of its games. Bayern and Ajax drew 3-3 in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
With nothing at stake in Lisbon, both teams took risks in what was an entertaining match at the Stadium of Light. The teams created several chances back-and-forth in the second half, with the hosts coming closest to scoring.
Haris Seferovic hit the crossbar with a header in the 70th, and about 10 minutes later Gedson Fernandes entered the area free from markers but had his shot saved by AEK goalkeeper Vassilis Barkas.
AEK went a man down in the 86th when Kostas Galanopoulos pulled Fernandes' jersey and was shown a second yellow card. Coach Marinos Ouzounidis was sent off a few minutes later after complaining excessively.
"We knew beforehand we were the minnows of our group and unfortunately we were constantly reminded of it in every match," Ouzounidis said.
Benfica had won 3-2 in Greece.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Benfica's Alex Grimaldo shots from free kick to score his side opening goal during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press
Benfica's Alex Grimaldo, right, celebrates after he scored his side opening goal during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press
Benfica's Ruben Dias, left, heads the ball challenged by AEK's Dmytro Chygrynskiy, 4th from right, during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press
AEK's Lucas Boye, right, vies the ball past Benfica's Ruben Dias during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press
Benfica's Alfa Semedo, in air, is challenged by AEK's Erik Moran during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press
Benfica's Joao Felix, right, reacts after an failed attempt on goal during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press
Benfica's Gedson Fernandes heads the ball near AEK's Erik Moran during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press
AEK's coach Marinos Ouzounidis reacts during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press
Benfica's Pizzi, center, fights for the ball with AEK's Michalis Bakakis, right, during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press
Benfica's Alex Grimaldo, 2nd from right, celebrates after he scored his side opening goal during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press
AEK's Niklas Hult, 2nd form right, argues with referee Robert Madden as Benfica's players celebrate after scoring their die opening goal during the Champions League group E soccer match between Benfica and AEK Athens at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Associated Press