A comeback that started with a bicycle kick!

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Arthur Cabral's classy finish marked the start of a comeback full of justice, culminating in a clear (1-4) and uncontested victory for Benfica at Estrela da Amadora on Monday, January 29. The game from matchday 19 of the Liga Betclic also featured goals from Rafa, Otamendi and Marcos Leonardo, taking the Reds to their 6th consecutive win in the competition!

Arthur Cabral was the new addition to Benfica's starting eleven compared to the previous official match, lining up in the usual 4x2x3x1 formation, always with his eyes on the opposition's net. 

In the 28th minute, Estrela da Amadora got what they wanted without justifying it. Leo Jabá crossed low and hard from the left, the ball was saved by Trubin and was left for the Brazilian to pounce on, who, with a strong, low shot, opened the scoring (1-0).

But before the break, we saw the score turn around! And it all started with a play of pure class! In the 44th minute, Di María raised his head on the right of the attack and crossed left-footed to Arthur Cabral. The No9 took the ball on his chest, with his back to goal, in the heart of the penalty box, and applied a bicycle kick of excellent quality (1-1)!

Estrela da Amadora felt the blow to their strategy, and the Eagles fell upon their rivals with greater sagacity. The result came in the 45'+1': the ball intercepted by Omorwa on the edge of the box reached Arthur Cabral, who, with another classy touch, put the ball to Rafa, who fired a volley, leaving Rúben Brígido with no reaction (1-2).

Benfica's 62% possession in the first half was just one indicator of their dominance in the opening 45 minutes, which increased in the second half.

In the 52nd minute, Arthur Cabral's header, prompted by Di María's corner kick, hit the bar and the ball fell to Otamendi, who, unmarked, fired into the back of the Tricolores' net (1-3).

Regis' sending-off in the 71st minute for yellow card accumulation (after "sweeping" João Neves) sentenced the visitors' resistance and preceded the entries of Bah - who hadn't played due to injury since October 24th - Neres and Marcos Leonardo, to the detriment of João Mário, Rafa and Arthur Cabral.

Rollheiser made his official debut for Benfica in the 87th minute, coming on for Di María. At 90'+3', the score (1-4) was sealed by Marcos Leonardo: Neres recovered the ball after a poor pass from Pedro Sá, turned and assisted his compatriot inside the box, who scored his third goal in three Liga Betclic games.

Benfica picked up their 6th consecutive win in the league, where they have gone 18 games without a loss. On the next round, MD 20, the eagles host Gil Vicente, on Sunday, February 4, at 6 pm, at the Estádio da Luz.