Napoli continued their perfect Champions League record with a 4-2 victory over Benfica thanks to Marek Hamsik, Arek Milik and a Dries Mertens double.
See how the night unfolded on our LIVEBLOG.
Besiktas drew 1-1 with Dynamo Kiev in the other game, so Napoli are absolutely dominating the group with a four-point advantage.
Napoli continued their perfect Champions League record with a 4-2 victory over Benfica thanks to Marek Hamsik, Arek Milik and a Dries Mertens double.
See how the night unfolded on our LIVEBLOG.
Besiktas drew 1-1 with Dynamo Kiev in the other game, so Napoli are absolutely dominating the group with a four-point advantage.
Maurizio Sarri stuck with the big guns for their first Champions League home fixture in two years, although Ivan Strinic and Vlad Chiriches were injured too, and hoped to build momentum following a 2-1 win at Dynamo Kiev. Benfica were held to a last-gasp Besiktas equaliser in their opener and missed Jonas, Raul Jimenez, Rafa Silva, Andreas Samaris and Jardel.
Arek Milik had his first shot on target within 19 seconds after trapping a wonderful long Faouzi Ghoulam pass, but under pressure only managed to prod it at Julio Cesar.
Benfica had a great chance to take the lead soon after, as Nelson Semedo got down the right and rolled across for Pepe Reina to fumble, but Kostas Mitroglu’s follow-up was decisively charged down from close range.
Alex Grimaldo burst down the left and pulled back for Mitroglu to sting Reina’s gloves in what was this time a strong save. However, during that move Raul Albiol pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury and made way for Nikola Maksimovic on his Napoli debut.
Grimaldo performed an absolutely extraordinary interception to stop Jose Callejon volleying in a Dries Mertens cross from close range.
Napoli did break through on the resulting Ghoulam corner, as Hamsik got his head to it at the near post for a delicate flick. It was his 101st goal in a Partenopei jersey for Marekiaro.
Hamsik went close again, his angled drive hitting the side-netting after good work from Mertens and Callejon, while just before half-time the Spaniard tried to pass when he should’ve gone for goal.
Victor Lindelof blasted over at the end of a rare solo run, but Mertens was hauled back by Lisandro Lopez right on the edge of the box in a cynical foul. The Belgian made sure he converted the opportunity anyway, curling a magnificent free kick into the near top corner with Julio Cesar rooted to the spot.
There was a penalty moments later, as the hosts hit their stride. Julio Cesar rushed out to smother at Callejon’s feet, but the Spaniard just dinked it over him to win a penalty, converted with power by Milik.
Benfica crumbled and Napoli were flying on the wings of enthusiasm, as Julio Cesar flapped at a cross, it bounced off Milik and turned into an ideal assist for Mertens to tap in.
It should’ve been 5-0, as Mertens got to the by-line and his pull-back was parried from point-blank range by Julio Cesar, but Milik blasted the follow-up over the bar.
Napoli started to relax as time wore on and conceded an avoidable goal, as substitute Goncalo Guedes pounced on a misplaced Jorginho pass and left Maksimovic in his wake to score from the tightest of angles.
There was time for Emanuele Giaccherini to also get his Napoli debut, as brace hero Mertens was given a standing ovation by the crowd.
Benfica did not give in and added a second at the Stadio San Paolo, Eduardo Salvio chesting down a magnificent Andre Almeida pass over the top.
Reina risked conceding a third when he came rushing out and over-ran a throw-in, but his defenders were able to clear.
Napoli 4-2 Benfica
Hamsik 20 (N), Mertens 51, 58 (N), Milik pen 54 (N), Goncalo Guedes 71 (B), Salvio 86 (B)
Napoli: Reina; Hysaj, Koulibaly, Albiol (Maksimovic 11), Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik; Callejon (Insigne 69), Milik, Mertens (Giaccherini 82)
Benfica: Julio Cesar; Andre Almeida, Lindelöf, Lisandro Lopez, Grimaldo; Semedo, Andre Horta (Salvio 56), Fejsa (Jose Gomes 82), Pizzi; Carrillo (Goncalo Guedes 66); Mitroglou
Ref: Brych (GER)