Talents Made in Benfica behind the wheel

Current European Champion, Portugal had a positive note in the last test before Russia World Cup. A 3-0 victory over Algeria at Estádio da Luz, , a place full of nostalgia for the former Benfiquista Gonçalo Guedes, who scored the first and the third goals.

At minute 17 of the friendly match against the Algerians, the former Benfica’s forward scored the first one, a header, after an accurate assistance by Bernardo Silva, other talent Made in Benfica.

Gonçalo Guedes took the first opportunity conceded by Fernando Santos to step on the “green carpet” of  Estádio da Luz, his old home, with the Portuguese jersey, Gonçalo Guedes and scored twice (17' and 55'), in a rainy night, grabbing the chance to have prominence at the World Cup, which will be held in Russia, between June 14 and 15.

Rúben Dias, current Benfica’s player, also trained at Caixa Futebol Campus, remained on the bench, just like Manuel Fernandes, other product of the eagles’ "cantera". Mário Rui, the left-back who concluded his training at the Club, entered during the second half.

In the Presidential box, the Benfica’s president, Luís Filipe Vieira, witnessed the capacity and quality of the National Team, assumed candidate to bring the Cup from Russia.

At the mixed area, Gonçalo Guedes was clearly radiant for having scored twice at "home". "I’m very happy for the brace. It was very good to happen at Luz, a stadium which brings me a lot of good memories and which will always be my home. I know Bernardo Silva for a long time, we played together at the Benfica’s youth training and I felt very good by his side", said the Portugal number 17.

Text: João Sanches 

Pics: João Paulo Trindade / SL Benfica