[Source: Reuters]

Real Sociedad edged closer to a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League with a comfortable 3-1 win over Benfica in Group D on Wednesday which ended the Portuguese side’s faint hopes of reaching the last 16.

Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal and Ander Barrenetxea scored, and Brais Mendez missed a penalty kick, for Sociedad in the first 21 minutes of the game, while in the second half Rafa Silva netted Benfica’s first goal in the competition after three previous defeats in the group.

It was Sociedad’s third consecutive Champions League win but their first at home in 20 years as they provisionally took the top spot in Group D on 10 points with two games remaining.

Inter Milan are second on seven points, four clear of RB Salzburg in third. Real Sociedad and Inter will qualify for the last 16 if the Italian side beat the Austrian team later on Wednesday.

The match was stopped briefly halfway through the second half after flares were thrown by Benfica supporters.

Earlier, three fans were arrested after violent clashes between supporters of both teams, the Basque Country police confirmed.