Benfica beat Academica last Sunday by 3 to 1 and moves on to the next round of Portugal Cup play. Benfica played a good first half and created several good scoring opportunities. The first goal would be scored by Luisão at the 35 minute mark. Cardozo added the second goal only a few minutes later.

It seemed like Benfica would cruise to an easy win, but the second half proved more challenging. Academica opened the second half with a goal in which Butt was badly beaten. The usual substitute goalie for Benfica has not been effective the few times he has been called to start the game. Benfica would suffer some pressure from Academic after the 2 to 1, but in the end Benfica would seal the win with another goal by Cardozo. The Paraguayan has been hot as of late.

As expected Camacho rested a few of the regular starters for this game. He rested Quim, Katsouranis, and Rui Costa.  Edcarlos was a started on defense, Bynia and Nuno Assis at midfield, and Nuno Gomes paired with Cardozo up front.  Di Maria was also a starter and would leave the game at the 76 minute mark to give playing time to Freddy Adu.

Although Di Maria is a more know player than Adu, and from a much better school of soccer, Di Maria is from Argentina, a country known to have great players, the American Adu has shown that he deserves more playing time than Di Maria.

This weekend Portuguese League play returns and Benfica will play an away game at Belenenses.