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ASTANA, Kazakhstan (AP) — Raul Jimenez scored twice to haul Benfica back from two goals down and earn a 2-2 draw with FC Astana in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The win put Benfica on the verge of qualification, which was sealed later in the evening when Atletico Madrid beat Galatasaray 2-0 in Group C's other game.
Benfica started slowly in freezing conditions in Kazakhstan and went behind in the 19th minute when Astana forward Patrick Twumasi, back after a four-game ban, met Junior Kabananga's cross with a well-timed header.
Twelve minutes later, Marin Anicic made it 2-0 for Astana with a glancing header off Foxi Kethevoama's free kick.
Jimenez sparked the comeback with a powerful 39th minute header from a cross by Jonas, and scored his second from close range in the 72nd as Astana goalkeeper Nenad Eric failed to react to a shot.
Benfica had good chances to score and could have won the game. Shortly before Jimenez's first goal, Astana keeper Eric had produced a spectacular leaping save to deny a powerful shot from Andreas Samaris.
Atletico leads Group C but is level on 10 points with second-placed Benfica. The two meet next month in a game that will decide who qualifies from first place.
Astana went into its first ever Champions League campaign as the outsider in Group C but will finish unbeaten at home, recording draws in all three games.
The Kazakh champion is now in last place and unable to qualify for the knockout stages. However, a win over Galatasaray in the final round of games would see Astana finish third and secure a place in the Europa League.
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