Benfica edge towards Liga title

Benfica edge towards Liga title

Benfica 2-0 Braga

In front of a crowd of over 60,000 fans, Benfica safely negotiated a potentially troublesome fixture in their championship quest against Braga this afternoon thanks to a goal in each half from Jonas and Eliseu. 

The victory consolidates the Eagles' position at the top of the table and edges the Lisbon giants a step closer to back-to-back titles. Benfica will remain at least four points clear of FC Porto (who host Arouca tomorrow) with nine matches remaining. 

 

Benfica came into the match having won 14, drawn 1 and lost just 1 of their previous 16 games. But with Braga also in good form and arch rivals Porto also winning game after game and seemingly getting stronger as the season progresses, Jorge Jesus knew his team could not afford any slip-up. 

In truth it was a surprisingly straightforward three points for the hosts, with Júlio César not called upon to make a serious save all match. That didn't seem likely after an intense and tetchy opening 20 minutes with both teams showing an aggressive attitude. 

Classy Jonas shines

The thumping tackles and congested midfield had only been circumvented by the extravagantly skilled Jonas, who once again showed what a wonderful addition he has been to the team, with some outstanding touches. It was apt, therefore, that the Brazilian striker opened the scoring, rifling a terrific 20-yard low shot from the top of the box into the corner of the net after a quick interchange of passes between Lima and Gaitán had set him up. 

The goal settled Benfica, who were close to doubling their lead shortly afterwards, Pizzi's shot drawing a superb goal-line clearance from centre-back Santos. From the resulting corner Lima headed just wide. 

Braga were simply not at the races, barely venturing into Benfica's defensive half, although the excellent young Brazilian holding midfielder Danilo once again showed that a big future in the game surely awaits him. 

The visitors looked livelier in the first 15 minutes of the second half, albeit without carving out any chances, and when Tiago Gomes was sent off for picking up a second yellow card after a clumsy tackle on Salvio, Braga all but disappeared as an attacking force. 

Almost immediately Lima seemed set to score, but Braga goalkeeper Matheus pulled off a tremendous reflex save to deny him. 

Eliseu - If at first you don't succeed...

Benfica left-back Eliseu has been roundly criticised for his defensive lapses this season, but at the other end of the pitch the Portugal international usually makes a telling contribution. Tonight was another example, with the former Malaga man reeling off three rocket shots from distance. The first forced Matheus into another fine save, the second flew narrowly over the bar, and it proved third time lucky as another rasping drive could not be kept out by the Braga No1. 

"We are playing better now than we were three months ago. We were completely dominant, both attacking and defending, against a good Braga team who are having an excellent season," said Jesus in the post-match press conference. It's difficult to argue with any of that.

 by Tom Kundert, at the Estádio da Luz

Benfica: Júlio César, Maxi (André Almeida, 89'), Luisão, Jardel, Eliseu, Salvio, Samaris (Ruben Amorim, 87'), Pizzi, Gaitán (Ola John, 84'), Jonas, Lima 

Braga: Matheus, Baiano, Aderlan Santos, André Pinto, Tiago Gomes, Danilo, Pedro Tiba, Pardo, Rúben Micael (Pedro Santos, 61'), Rafa (Éder, 78'), Zé Luís (Salvador Agra, 71')

Goals:

[1-0] Jonas, 21'

[2-0] Eliseu, 76'