Silver jubilee of Rui Costa's hat-trick at Benfica

Maestro on the pitch, he stood out for the dribbles, for the accurate passes (short and long), creating chances for his teammates to shoot on target. But Rui Costa also stood out for the beauty of the goals he scored, among which are the hat-trick of his career at Benfica, scored on March 7, 1993, precisely 25 years ago.

Rui Costa's journey at the highest level at Benfica began in 1991/92, after becoming U-20 World Champion with Portugal. In the first of the three season that would catapult him to the Italian Serie A – where he represented (1994-2001) and Milan (2001-2006) –, the Maestro celebrated his first goal with an eagle on his chest on November 10, 1991, in a win over Famalicão (2-1) in the old Estádio da Luz, in a match from round 11 of the National Championship. 

The first brace of his career at the club level took little time and still happened in 1991/92, more specifically on February 29, 1992, in 0-4 away triumph of the reds at Marítimo (he scored at 29’ and 59’), in the match of Gameweek 24 of the Portuguese top-tier.

A creative player par excellence, Rui Costa never ceased to be a threat to the opposing goalkeepers, because he would frequently appear in the finishing area and for his long-distance shooting ability. In the 1992/93 season, he celebrated a hat-trick for Benfica, scoring three goals in a single match. It happened in the old Estádio da Luz against Sp. Espinho, on March 7, 1993, in round 23 of the Championship.

Already its Silver Jubilee, the hat-trick of Rui Costa had his first moment in the 7th minute of the encounter against the "espinhenses". The second goal in the football afternoon at the old Estádio da Luz was celebrated at 30’ and was again scored by the Maestro. Benfica was on the way to a big win, that would be extended before the break, with Vítor Paneira scoring with penalty kick (32’). Near the break, Ado reduced to 3-1.

In a match whistled by Serafim Alvito, Paulo Futre scored the 4-1 (76’) and Rui Costa completed his hat-trick at 83’, beating once again the goalkeeper Silvino Morais, at a time when the benfiquista team has coached by Toni.

In the following season (1993/94), Rui Costa scored the five goals over the 34 Championship rounds and contributed to the winning of another National League Title of Benfica.

After the success, Maestro transferred to Italy, from where he would return in 2006 to, as a player, defend the colors of Benfica for two more seasons (until 2008). Nowadays, Rui Costa is the administrator of the Benfica SAD

Text: João Sanches

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica