(Reuters) - Real Sociedad moved closer to qualifying for the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 win over Benfica in Group D on Wednesday, ending the Portuguese team's hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal and Ander Barrenechea scored for Sociedad in the first 21 minutes of the match, while Rafa Silva scored in the second half the first goal for Benfica in the competition after three previous defeats in the group stage

Real Sociedad secured their third consecutive victory in the Champions League, temporarily topping the standings of Group D with 10 points before two games to the end.

Inter Milan are in second place with seven points, four points ahead of third-placed Salzburg.

Real Sociedad and Inter will qualify for the round of sixteen if the Italian team beats its Austrian counterpart in a match later on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Ahmed Assal for the Arabic bulletin; Editing by Ahmed Abdellatif)