A strong and cold-blooded start

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Benfica beat Paços de Ferreira by 0-2 this Thursday, January 26, at the Estádio Capital do Móvel, in a game from matchday 20 of the Liga Bwin. Grimaldo and João Mário scored for the reds in the first half.

Benfica's strong start in Paços de Ferreira, similar to what had already happened in the Azores, against Santa Clara. With Otamendi back in the starting eleven, and Gonçalo Guedes as a starter for the first time (in this homecoming), the Reds were assertive throughout the 90 minutes.

On an icy night, Benfica had the composure to solve a difficult match very early. It took only seven minutes for the many Benfiquistas present at the Estádio Capital do Móvel to scream goal for the first time.

Nuno Lima fouls Guedes on the edge of the area, a position that called for Grimaldo's left foot. The Spaniard didn't waste the opportunity and with a well-placed shot, he beat Marafona. The left-back's fifth goal of the season, his second in the Portuguese League.

Benfica was dominating the match and another goal was in sight. At 11', in a play which began with Enzo, Gonçalo Guedes passed to Aursnes inside the box, and the Norwegian's shot was saved by Marafona. On the rebound, João Mário scored the 0-2. The 12th goal from the midfielder in 2022/23, the eighth in the Liga Bwin. 

A fair victory, by 0-2, for Benfica, which strengthens its leadership in the league table, now with one more game than its opponents.The benfiquistas play again last Tuesday, January 31 (9:15 pm), this time in Arouca, in the game from matchday 18 of the Liga Bwin.