The win kept the Lisbon side in third in Group F but they are now on four points, just two behind the Scottish side in second.

Benfica went ahead with an own-goal by Gary Caldwell 10 minutes into the game when the Celtic defender tried to clear a cross from the right by defender Nelson.

In another mistake, Caldwell failed to clear a long pass by goalkeeper Quim, leaving the ball for Nuno Gomes to score after 22 minutes.

Celtic midfielder Stephen Pearson squandered an opportunity to reduce the deficit when he shot wide six minutes from halftime but Russian substitute Andrei Karyaka made it three when he tapped in a cross from Nelson after 76 minutes.

Celtic coach Gordon Strachan refused to blame Caldwell for the defeat.

"We will review the match. If we had had more possession at the start of the game we would have played better," he said. "We are still favourites to reach the second spot in the group."

But Benfica coach Fernando Santos reckoned his side now have a good chance to progress.

"This win was fundamental for us. If we hadn't snatched the victory we wouldn't be able to fulfil the objective of reaching the last 16," he said.

"We faced some problems at the end of the first half but in the second half we controlled the ball and attacked well without losing our defensive strategy. I think we deserved to win."

Benfica, who lost by the same scoreline at Celtic two weeks ago, controlled the game throughout with Gomes and Italian winger Fabrizio Miccoli missing several chances to increase the lead.

"It was a great game. We proved that we are a different team than the one that played Celtic in the past," said Simao Sabrosa. "Now we must concentrate on the next game."

Among more than 50,000 fans at the Stadium of Light were 12 Celtic players, led by captain Billy McNeill, who won the European Cup in Lisbon in May 1967.

They came from a goal behind to beat Inter Milan 2-1 in Celtic's greatest triumph to date. The players paid tribute to the feat on Wednesday with a visit to Portugal's National Stadium where the game took place.