Benfica 3-1 Estoril Praia
Saturday’s match between Benfica and Estoril was always going to be a thrilling encounter between two of Portugal’s most in-form sides and two individuals, who, while they foster very different styles, remain two of the most enigmatic and distinctive managers in the Primeira Liga.
A vibrant and energetic crowd made it out to the Estádio da Luz this weekend to witness José Mourinho’s Benfica record their 11th win of the campaign. The victory saw Benfica maintain their undefeated record in the league and keep the pressure on rivals FC Porto and Sporting CP. Vangelis Pavlidis was the Eagles’ star performer on the night, scoring all three of Benfica’s goals to guide the home side to their third league victory in four matches.
Estoril came into the fixture on a high after taking six points from their previous two league matches. A 4-1 demolition of Alverca a few weeks ago showed off the club’s attacking riches and had many believing they could make a late push for a European spot. The visitors kept Benfica on their toes, and if not for a few near misses, could have walked away with at least a point.
In the end, Benfica’s spine was too strong for the Canaries, with Pavlidis, Nicolás Otamendi, Richard Ríos, Gianluca Prestianni, and Georgiy Sudakov all having strong performances.
Benfica and Estoril exchange early punches
Going into the match, Estoril manager Ian Cathro made it clear that his team were not just there to make up the numbers, insisting his side would set out to take all three points in this challenging away fixture.
Any doubts on whether Cathro was being genuine with his comments were quickly put to rest when Estoril nearly broke the deadlock within the first two minutes. Yanis Begraoui, who bagged a brace against Alverca in his last outing, was inches away from stunning the home crowd. The forward did well to compose himself after the ball fell to him in the box, and he turned to lash a shot that forced an outstretched save from Anatoliy Trubin. It was an immediate and clear message from Cathro’s men that they had no intention of sitting back and absorbing the pressure.
Benfica started to fight back, but their first real chance only came in the ninth minute. It was their playmaker, Sudakov, who fired a right-footed shot that cruised just over the bar.
Sudakov has been in fantastic form since moving to the Reds in the summer. Still, a sloppy mistake by the Ukrainian nearly turned out to be costly when Alejandro stole the ball from the midfielder and found himself alone with the keeper. Unfortunately for Estoril, his close-range shot was well saved by Trubin.
Benfica settle after nervy start
This was certainly not the start Mourinho would have been hoping for with Benfica sluggish on both ends of the pitch to begin the match. However, his team would eventually find their footing.
Rios, who has developed into a premier box-to-box midfielder with Benfica, was one of the bright spots. He was involved in the bulk of the action, and the Colombian worked hard to maintain control and set the pace in the centre of the park.
Pavlidis was finally granted his first opportunity in the 22nd minute, but his tame header from a Dedic cross harmlessly sailed over the bar. In the 25th minute, it would be Prestianni who would secure the first of his numerous chances. His shot, though, was deflected wide for a corner.
Benfica started to turn the screw and were beginning to apply pressure. But over the first half hour, keeper Robles still had not been tested.
In the 31st minute, the referee was involved in a decisive moment in the match. Otamendi was deemed to have been fouled from a corner, and after a brief VAR review, Benfica were handed a penalty. The decision came at a bad time for Estoril, who, until that point, had matched the Lisbon club every step of the way. Pavlidis stepped up to the spot and steered the ball into the left side of the net as Joel Robles guessed the wrong way.
Benfica double their lead before Estoril respond
Sudakov continued to pull the strings and facilitate from the midfield. He almost got a goal of his own in the 41st minute when he gambled with a long-range effort.
Just when this game looked to be winding down towards the half, Pavlidis gave the home supporters a moment of magic that reminded everyone why he is considered one of the top strikers in the league. A striding run from the Greek striker saw him connect with a well-timed ball from Leandro. That was followed by a glorious chip to leave Robles with no chance.
Estoril, however, answered instantly. Just moments later, a low cross from Rafik Guitane found João Carvalho in the box, and the midfielder curled his shot into the left-hand side of the goal. A vital goal at a critical stage, just seconds before the halftime whistle.
Mourinho’s men survive hard-fought second half
With the game now opening up, the first chance of the second half fell again to Prestianni, who attempted to catch the keeper off guard.
Cathro was the first to initiate a change, bringing on Antef Tsoungui in the 59th minute, and then Fabrício Garcia in the 66th.
Begraoui went close to pulling the visitors level in the 67th minute. The Benfica supporters held their breath when his powerful strike hit the side netting. From some angles, it appeared as if the ball had just snuck into the back of the net and Estoril had equalised.
Then it was Carvalho’s turn a couple of minutes later. His curling shot glided just over the crossbar.
It felt as if hanging on to a one-goal lead was going to be a high-risk strategy, and Benfica were rewarded for staying on the front foot. This time, it was a low cross from the left side of the pitch from the newly signed Sidny Cabral that found Pavlidis for his 17th league goal of the campaign. It may turn out to be the easiest goal the striker will score all season, a simple tap at the far post after the ball was deflected into his path.
That 80th-minute goal provided Benfica with some much-needed breathing room, and the Eagles were able to hang on for a massive home win and ensure that they remained in the hunt for a 39th league title.
Benfica 3-1 Estoril highlights
Lineups:
Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin, Amar Dedic, Nicolás Otamendi, António Silva, Samuel Dahl, Richard Ríos, Gianluca Prestianni, Manu Silva, Georgiy Sudakov, Leandro Barreiro, Vangelis Pavlidi
Estoril Praia: Joel Robles, Kévin Boma, Felix Bacher, Pedro Amaral, Ricard Sánchez, Jordan Holsgrove, Jandro Orellana, João Carvalho, Rafik Guitane, Yanis Begraoui, Alejandro Marqués
Goals:
[1-0] Vangelis Pavlidis, 34’
[2-0] Vangelis Pavlidis, 45’
[2-1] João Carvalho, 45’
[3-1] Vangelis Pavlidis, 80’
