Ability to react to adversity deserved a different ending

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

In the Liga Betclic kick-off for Benfica, the reds left the clash with Boavista, played at Estádio do Bessa, on Monday, August 14, without the three points. The home team won (3-2) the game from matchday 1 of the Championship. Musa's sending off, in the 50th minute, affected the game, but the Eagles, who hit the woodwork three times, showed the strength to get another result.

Against the "axadrezados", the Glorioso started the match with the following eleven: Odysseas, Bah, António Silva, Otamendi, Jurásek, João Neves, Kökcü, Di María, Aursnes, Rafa and Musa. 

On the counter-attack, the first big moment of celebration came in the 22nd minute. Just over the halfway line, Rafa got the better of Rodrigo Abascal and set off for the opposite goal. Realizing that Di María was unmarked, he offered the ball to the Argentine striker, who had no trouble putting it into the back of the net (0-1, 22').

With his foot on the gas, the Albiceleste World Cup winner scored for the second official match in a row, after scoring against FC Porto in the Super Cup.

With the advantage, the Reds showed even more confidence. Pressing, they knew how to circulate the ball, and the players showed mutual help in the face of a rival who did not give up going forward. At half-time, Benfica were ahead (0-1).

When the game resumed, Boavista came close to the Reds' goal. Pedro Malheiro crossed, and the ball was cleared by Otamendi and Bah, in the 50th minute. Following this moment, a setback for Benfica. Musa was shown a straight red for a foul on Rodrigo Abascal in a duel for possession.

Down a man, Roger Schmidt immediately changed the team. The Benfica coach decided to take off Di María and put on Morato in the 54th minute.

When play resumed, a free kick followed and Boavista equalized. The ball, coming from the left, was deflected by Jurásek, and Bozeník, in the goal area, scored (1-1, at 55').

In search of a second goal, it was the 69th minute when Benfica had an excellent opportunity to score. Aursnes' pass to Rafa, who took advantage of a mistake by Filipe Ferreira to win the duel with the Boavista defender who had just entered. With his right foot, the 27-year-old shot at the crossbar! Kökcü then had his shot blocked.

With a line of three central defenders and Bah and Jurásek providing depth on the flanks, Benfica's long-awaited goal came in the 75th minute. On the left, Rafa's pass led to a cross from the No13 for Kökcü, who shot straight at goal. João Gonçalves defended and, on the rebound, João Neves headed another intervention by the home goalkeeper, who deflected the ball onto the crossbar. In due course, Rafa, in the goal area, did not hesitate and made the 1-2, with a header, at 75'.

A lot of character and personality to overcome the adversity of playing with 10 players.

After a pass from Chidozie, Bozeník won an aerial duel and, after Odysseas' exit, headed the ball into the area where De Santis was. In his attempt to clear the ball, António Silva touched the opposing player, a play that referee António Nobre interpreted as a penalty.

At 90', Bruno Lourenço converted the penalty kick to equalize (2-2).

The Reds were pushing forward. At 90'+9', Chidozie cleared the ball for a corner, preventing Aursnes from finishing. After the set piece, Neres, with his left foot, made Boavista's goal tremble with a shot to the crossbar. A superb chance to make it 2-3!

In the following minute, alerted by the VAR, António Nobre used the images to reverse the yellow shown to Bruno Lourenço, author of a tackle on Florentino. The Boavista striker was then shown a straight red card.

At 90'+13', balanced in attack, a ball loss by the Reds compromised. Bozeník, on the counter-attack, broke clear and beat Odysseas (3-2 to Boavista).

On Saturday, August 19, Benfica plays again. In what will be the 1st match of the new season at Estádio da Luz, the eagles host Estrela da Amadora, ob matchday 2 of the Liga Betlic. The clash is scheduled for 8:30 pm.