Gabriel’s goal (16 ‘) and Ilori’s own goal (64’) were Benfica’s triumph in the first leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-final. Bruno Fernandes’s goal left everything open for the 2nd hand on April 2nd.
Summary: Keizer revolutionized, while Bruno Lage changed only two pieces compared to the last game. On the Sporting side, Borja, Ilori and Luiz Phellype were in the game, while in the Svilar – Vlachodimos Eagles are punished – and Salvio appeared in the starting eleven.
The home team wanted to repeat their feat last Sunday. Already Sporting made everything so that the film did not repeat itself. The game began alive, well disputed, but very lacking. It is true that Benfica did not have as much ball as Sporting in the first half, but was more forceful in the attack and praised for effectiveness.
At 16 minutes, Salvio turned the turbo, took his team forward on a fast counter-attack, and left in Pizzi. The ’21’ of the Eagles timed, waited for help and, right now, placed in Gabriel, who left, opened the marker. Renan did not close the right side of the goal well and conceded the 1-0 of Benfica.
After having conceded the first goal too early, Keizer’s formation tried to get more in the game, but Benfica controlled and closed the way for the green and white. The best that Sporting achieved was a shot from Bruno Fernandes to the figure of Svilar.
In the second half, the velocity remained: the lions even had more ball, but it was Benfica who shot. Bruno Lage sent his players to be more aggressive and that was noticed. The pressure also increased and Sporting players had less space to play in their midfield.
But again, the trust made the difference in the field. Benfica made Sporting suffer in 64 minutes. After a cross well taken by Seferovic, João Félix set up the shot, which eventually hit Ilori and enters. Renan was betrayed by the touch of the companion and the 2-0 was done.
Sporting went looking for extra strength to stay in the fight for the tie and ended up getting the moment of this derby: An authentic goal from Bruno Fernandes, after marking a free, left everyone with their mouths open. At 82 minutes, a real ‘bomb’ roared a lion who gained new spirit until the end. However, the 2-1 remained and despite a new victory for Benfica, the ticket to Jamor will only be named after the Alvalade game scheduled for April 2.