The home side took a two goal lead in the first half but the 24-year-old attacker popped up with two to ensure his side remain on course for a spot in the second round
Benfica fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Astana and close in on a place in the Champions League knockout stages.Headers from Patrick Twumasi and Marin Anicic had the hosts comfortably ahead in Kazakhstan, before Raul Jimenez pulled a goal back for Benfica just before half-time.
Jimenez then struck again with a low finish 18 minutes from time to eliminate Astana, who drew all three of their home matches in Group C.
Benfica are now three points above Atletico Madrid and six clear of third-placed Galatasaray, and any result but a victory for the Turkish side when those two sides play later on Wednesday would send Rui Vitoria's team through to the last 16.
A header from Lisandro Lopez and a long shot from Goncalo Guedes forced home goalkeeper Nenad Eric into early saves.
Astana responded when an excellent cross from Foxi Kethevoama found Twumasi at the far post but the Ghanaian could not control to get a shot away despite being completely unmarked at the far post.
Moments later, though, Twumasi made no mistake. Junior Kabananga whipped in a brilliant cross from the left and the forward firmly planted a header back across keeper Julio Cesar and into the net from close range.
Astana doubled their lead on 31 minutes. Kethevoama whipped in an in-swinging free kick to which Anicic - who looked to be marginally offside - got the faintest of touches, with an indecisive Cesar unable to keep it out.
Eric made a strong two-handed save to deny a sweetly struck left-footed half-volley from Pizzi, before Jonas lashed a brilliant long-range shot just wide.
Benfica got back into the game four minutes before half-time when Jonas latched on to Silvio's throw-in to deliver a first-time cross from the right that was headed home powerfully byJimenez.
Astana wanted Lopez sent off after he cynically brought down Twumasi as he raced through on goal, but the defender instead received a yellow card from referee Ruddy Buquet.
Twumasi was then only just off-target with a thumping shot from distance as a thrilling first half came to an end.
After the break, Guedes could not beat Eric after latching on to an excellent Renato Sanches pass while Kethevoama had an effort saved at the other end.
Kabananga had a good opportunity to seal the points after surging forward after receiving Serikzhan Muzhikov's pass but Cesar saved his left-footed shot with his trailing leg.
And that proved costly with 18 minutes remaining when Jimenez steered a clever first-time finish in off the far post from Andre Almeida's cutback to move his side one step closer to the last 16.
Benfica fight back to eliminate Astana
- Group C leaders Benfica miss chance to secure progress with win
- Patrick Twumasi and Marin Aničić give Astana two-goal lead
- Raúl Jiménez scores twice, once in each half, to earn draw
- Kazakhstani champions eliminated in first group stage campaign
- Final Group C games: Galatasaray v Astana, Benfica v Atlético (8 December)
Raúl Jiménez struck twice in Kazakhstan as Group C leaders Benfica recovered from two goals down to rescue a point and eliminate Astana from the UEFA Champions League in the process.
Raúl Jiménez struck twice in Kazakhstan as Group C leaders Benfica recovered from two goals down to rescue a point and eliminate Astana from the UEFA Champions League in the process.
Needing a victory to maintain their hopes, the hosts, accustomed to the frosty conditions, caught Benfica cold with two goals inside 31 minutes. Patrick Twumasi became Astana's first ever scorer in the group stage before Marin Aničić doubled the advantage. However, Jiménez reduced the deficit late in the first half before netting a second after the break to claim a draw.
Despite missing injured captain Luisão and suspended playmaker Nicolás Gaitán, the Eagles travelled to the Kazakhstani capital in confident mood knowing three points would clinch progress. Indeed, Rui Vitória's side dominated the early exchanges with Jardel and Gonçalo Guedes going close.
But, against the run of play, the Kazakh title holders got the opener with their first effort on target. Twumasi met Junior Kabananga's whipped cross from the left at the back post before nodding past Júlio César. On 31 minutes, Aničić stunned the section leaders by diverting Foxi Kéthévoama's left-wing free-kick into the bottom-right corner from close range.
Goalkeeper Nenad Erić dived to his left to parry Pizzi's swerving 34th-minute attempt as the visitors looked for a way back into the contest. Six minutes later, the Portuguese outfit grabbed a lifeline when Mexican international Jiménez darted to the front post before sending a powerful header into the top-right corner.
The away team carried that momentum into the second half with Guedes and Jonas missing decent opportunities before completing the turnaround on 72 minutes. Substitute André Almeida surged down the right before finding Jiménez who guided the cross into the far corner.
Moments earlier Júlio César had kept Benfica alive, sticking out a leg to block Kabananga's low strike. Despite pushing for a late winner the Eagles could not muster a third to guarantee qualification as Stanimir Stoilov's Astana – unbeaten at home – exited the competition.
Reaction
Stanimir Stoilov, Astana coach
I think today was a really good performance from us. We scored goals and did everything we could to win, though we're disappointed not to have scored a third to secure the victory. However, even if we had lost I would have been happy because the team showed they can play football at the highest European level.
Stanimir Stoilov, Astana coach
I think today was a really good performance from us. We scored goals and did everything we could to win, though we're disappointed not to have scored a third to secure the victory. However, even if we had lost I would have been happy because the team showed they can play football at the highest European level.
Rui Vitória, Benfica coach
It was a really tough game for us – nobody has had an easy match here. Astana caused us major difficulties but we got the point that keeps us on track and we are satisfied with the result. The most important thing was that the boys who came off the bench played well.
It was a really tough game for us – nobody has had an easy match here. Astana caused us major difficulties but we got the point that keeps us on track and we are satisfied with the result. The most important thing was that the boys who came off the bench played well.
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