Benfica FC

Benfica came up with a big win at Guimarães last weekend. Sl Benfica played a great first half, probably one of the best I have seen all season, but ended shaky in the second half. The final 3 to 1 score hides some of the difficulties Benfica had in the second period.

Benfica scored early at the 8 minute mark on a great goal by Cardozo and would strike again at the 26 minute mark. This time, on a great play by Di Maria on the left side, who would feed the ball to Maxi Pereira for an easy goal. In the second half Guimarães came back into the game, and cut Benfica´s lead to 2 to 1 with 30 minutes left in the game. Although Guimarães was deserving  a goal, it came on a missed header by Luís Filipe who set up an easy goal for Guimarães.

Benfica suffered during some moments in the second half of the game, but would end up closing the game off with another goal by Cardozo. This one was a “freebie” from the Guimarães goalie.

This a big win for Benfica, so much so because Sporting would also beat Porto on Sunday. With the way things went Benfica was able to solidify the second place in the League, and would gain 3 points on Porto. Although this is probably nothing to get very excited about since Porto is still 8 points up.

On the negative side for this game, are the injuries to David Luiz, and the yellow card that Rui Costa saw and that will keep both players out of the next game.

On a final note, there were about 33000 fans on hand for this game, which is not something usually seen in Portugal unless Benfica, Sporting, or Porto play at home.