Rafa put his foot on the throttle

Positioned on the right side of Benfica's attack, with the freedom to look for inner spaces, namely in the finishing area, Rafa was one of the driving forces of the team in the successful trip to Paços de Ferreira (1-3), in round 24 of Liga NOS.

In his first complete match in the current edition of the Championship, the Reds' number 27 made several runs through the flank and, in the early stage of the match held at Estádio Capital do Móvel, he tried to score with a right-footed "trivela" and a header in the goal area.

The second half would bring more crucial contributions to produce the comeback and bag another triumph.

Confident in his actions on the pitch in what was his third consecutive match in the starting XI in this Liga NOS – Portimonense (away), Boavista (home) and now Paços de Ferreira –, Rafa confirmed that he has influence on the game and created the attacking play on the right that would result in 1-1.

The number 27 sped up, won the duel and made the cross towards the area, where Jonas put the ball on the back of Defendi's net (72’). It was the first explosion of joy from the Four-time champions.

At 90’+4’, Varela made a long pass, Raúl was stronger than a defender, won the aerial duel and, with a header launched Rafa for another quick attack. In the middle of two defenders, the number 27 entered the penalty area and with a well-placed shot, he put the ball on the back of the net (1-3).

Precisely a year later, Rafa scored a goal for Benfica in the Liga NOS. In 2016/17, in Gameweek 23 of the competition, wrote his name in the history of the home match against Chaves at Estádio da Luz, scoring the second goal of the encounter (at 49’) in a 3-1 win.

Text: João Sanches

Pics: João Paulo Trindade / SL Benfica