Reaction forged in the fortress

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

This Sunday, March 10, Benfica returned to winning ways in the Liga Betclic after beating Estoril by 3-1, on matchday 25. Kökcü, Marcos Leonardo and Tiago Gouveia scored the goals that extended the Eagles' unbeaten run at home in the league to 13 games.

Roger Schmidt fielded a team with five changes from the last match against Rangers in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16. Tomás Araújo, João Mário, Kökcü, Tiago Gouveia and Marcos Leonardo came into the eleven and were joined by Trubin, Bah, António Silva, Aursnes, Florentino and Neres.

Taking over the build-up play, the Turkish international took 10 minutes to create his first threat and make it 1-0. After Tomás Araújo won the ball back in the opposition half, João Mário passed to Neres, and he played the ball to Kökcü, who, on the edge of the box, fired a first-time shot into the back of the net (15'). It was a goal that lifted most of the 48,964 spectators who came to the Estádio da Luz, on a day marked by the Legislative Elections.

However, against the run of play, Estoril equalized (1-1) after 22 minutes. Heri dribbled down the right flank, crossed strongly and Trubin pushed the ball forward. The ball fell to Rodrigo Gomes, who stuck out his foot and beat the Estoril goalkeeper.

Benfica's insistence finally paid off in the first half's final period (45'+2'). From the right, Neres crossed towards the far post, where Tiago Gouveia fed Marcos Leonardo. He got ahead of two Estoril defenders and headed the ball into the back of the net, making it five goals in the Liga Betclic.

Returning from a break in which Benfica's men's and women's athletics teams were honored for their titles in the Indoor Track Club Championships, the Reds continued to press on and managed to extend their lead in the 49th minute.

Playing in anticipation, António Silva won the ball from Cassiano and passed it to Florentino. He played it to Kökcü, who set up Tiago Gouveia on the right. The No. 47 took on Mangala, beat him at speed and, in the box, shot past Dani Figueira. A great moment from the young Made In Benfica, who now has four goals in 19 games. 

Between the 75th and 81st minutes, Roger Schmidt freshened up the team with Rollheiser and Arthur Cabral coming on for Neres and Marcos Leonardo, and Morato and João Neves for Kökcü and Aursnes, respectively. In addition to these changes, Álvaro Carreras came on for Bah in the 84th minute.

In the 89th minute, Rollheiser crossed from the right-hand side to the far post, where Rodrigo Gomes prevented the ball from reaching Tiago Gouveia with a cleareance. Following the corner, the ball fell to João Neves, who, on the edge of the area, fired a thunderous shot against the crossbar.

This was the final chance of a match in which Kökcü, who scored a goal and provided an assist, was voted Man of the Match by the fans

After matchday 25 of the Liga Betclic, Benfica will return to the field next Thursday, March 14, for the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 against Rangers. The clash at Ibrox Stadium is scheduled for 5:45 pm.