24 passes in 54 seconds: Benfica's 5th goal against Rio Ave is a hymn to collective football

Rui Vitória said that Benfica's performance in the second half against Rio Ave (5-1) was superb. In the front line of this analysis is the team's strong entrance in the second half and the five goals scored, but there were details on the pitch of a true compendium of how to play football.

One of those details was the build-up play that finished with Benfica's fifth goal in the match. The Official Website zooms in on the play: its 54 seconds of talent and pure individual and collective quality. The play starts in Cervi and ends in Raúl, going through the feet of all 10 field players (only the stopper Bruno Varela did not touch the ball).

In total, there were 24 passes and 54 touches in the ball, that traveled through both flanks, through the defensive zone, and through the midfield before reaching Rafa in the right wing. The number 27 jersey had already touched the ball in the build-up. On the wing, with space, the Portuguese international beat his direct opponent and made the cross for Raúl's strike.

Benfica ended with a flourish an exciting second half, with five goals scored at Estádio da Luz.

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica