The Australian veteran, who has been used sparingly at Basel this term, started the crucial clash with the Portuguese outfit who had won 2-0 in Switzerland on matchday three.

Benfica looked on their way to victory when Rodrigo netted after just four minutes while there was more Portuguese pressure throughout the opening half hour.

Chipperfield had a good chance on 38 minutes after neat control but couldn't fire off a decent shot.

Benfica had more chances after the break with Rodrigo and Ezequiel Garay spurning good opportunities before Chipperfield help provide the leveller.

The Australian broke down the left flank on 64 minutes before a centred cross for Benjamin Huggel who neatly finished to make it 1-1.

That's how it ended meaning Manchester United top the group on eight points, with Benfica on eight points as well, while Basel are in third on five points with group strugglers Otelul Galati next up.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Patrick Kisnorbo had a tough return to the Leeds United starting line-up as they were mauled 5-0 at home by Blackpool in England's Championship.

The Australian, who actually came close to scoring early on, wasn't the main culprit for the horror result with keeper Paul Rachubka having an awful first-half and being hauled off at the break.

On the final day of the season in China's Super League on Wednesday, Dean Heffernan put in a full shift as Liaoning Whowin defeated Tianjin Teda 3-1 to clinch a place in the 2012 AFC Champions League.

Elsewhere, Brendon Santalab and John Hutchinson's Chengdu Blades were relegated despite a 2-2 draw with champions Guangzhou.