The Argentina international produced one of the finest goalkeeping displays seen at Selhurst Park in recent times to keep his side on course for victory, particularly in a first-half in which the visitors dominated long stretches.
The pick of his catalogue of saves was a stupendous reaction stop from close range against Liam Delap, who had the full goal to aim at – or so he thought – after Morgan Gibbs-White’s effort had crashed against the underside of the bar.
But somehow, Benítez leapt to his feet and managed to prevent the ball from crossing the line – a crucial intervention with Forest threatening to pull away at that stage.