GAME SUMMARY
Final League Cup
FINAL RESULT
Benfica
1
Sporting
0
Markers
Chandra Davidson 83′
Team that has won the League Cup the most times, (in the four previous editions, the eagles triumphed in 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2022/23), the women’s football team from Benfica added another trophy in this competition and prolonged their dominance by beating Sporting at Estádio do Restelo (1-0) this Wednesday, May 1st.
A goal from Chandra Davidsonwho had just entered the second half, detonated the celebrations of the Inspiring Womenwho aim to end the season with the full of national achievementsas they have already raised the Super Cuplead the BPI League and are in the final of the Portuguese Cup.
On the lawn, the afternoon of glory it started well before 5:45 pm, the scheduled time for the start of the 6th and last derby in 2023/24. At 4:30 pm, the players stepped onto the pitch, their first contact with the playing field. As the public filled the stands, the first applause was heard for goalkeepers Lena Pauels and Rute Costa, who began their warm-up exercises at 4:57 p.m. After seven minutes, the eleven selected by Philippine Patão entered the field.
The athletes thanked the fans for their support and launched the activation period prior to the meeting.
Clearly with a higher number of supporters, the red stain became even more evident when the players went up the tunnel to access the pitch before the opening whistle. A traditional bow was met with shouts of encouragement for the derby. “Benfica, Benfica” was the motto as soon as the meeting started!
With the presence of President Rui Costa in the stadium, at 5′ the eagles created the first occasion. Francisca Nazareth shot crossed and the ball passed close to the left post, without Nycole Raysla managed to deflect the goal. Dominator won’t start, Benfica had another shot, at 9′. From a direct free kick, in the frontal zone, Carole Costa, dead ball specialist, shot over the post. Minute 11, and, on an individual initiative, Marie Alidou threatened with a shot over the top. Another sign of want incarnate.
From outside the four lines, Andrea Falcon, Chandra Davidson e Paige Almendariz they were the first to jump off the bench to warm up at this stage, following a common practice in the eagles, in which the substitutes are rarely stationary, and respond to the physiologist’s instructions Ivo Miguel.
With the pace of the game decreasing, there was a sense of greater balance, without the Leo players being able to approach Benfica’s goal with danger. This only happened in the 27th minute, with a deflection from Olivia Smith in the area.
BE A BENFIQUITA PUSHED THE INSPIRING
Pulling for the eagles, who tried to be but pressingintoned the Being a Benfica fan. At 34′, Francisca Nazareth dribbled near the rival area, excited the fans, but the move was lost in the hands of Hannah Seabert, after a cross from Marie Alidou.
In the next minute, Nycole Raysla progressed with the ball and shot at goal, facing opposition from the Leonine goalkeeper, who prevented the opening goalat 35′.
Until the half-time break, the situation remained zero, just like the excitement in the stands on a sunny but cold afternoon.
At the restart, the derby was very competitive. Protagonist of a great season, Lena Powell applied before Diana Silva’s header, after a free kick, in the 49th minute.
The red response arrived at 51′. After a disagreement in the rival defense, Nycole Rayslafrom a reduced angle, shot into the side mesh.
Towards 9016 spectatorsBenfica tried to create more dynamics in the attack, but the derby ended up having several interruptions due to physical complaints from the athletes.
Already with Catarina Amado not place of Jessica Silva, the red fans continued tirelessly in their support chants. At 73′, from outside the area, Nycole Raysla shot for a two-time save by Seabert.
On the opposite side, Lena Powell She easily scored Diana Silva’s attempt (78′).
RIGHT REPLACEMENTS
At 82′, Andrea Norton e Chandra Davidson were launched by Philippine Patão and the changes took effect. At 83′, the Canadian forward appeared in Seabert’s face, after recovery of Francisca Nazareth in the offensive zone, followed by great pass from Andreia Faria. The Leonine goalkeeper saved Chandra’s first shot, but, on the rebound, the striker made it 1-0!
Lots of party between the red players on the pitch and on the bench! “Everything jumping, everything jumping, SLB, SLB“, he shouted.
Motivated by the goal, the Eagles tried to expand. At 87′, Francisca Nazareth shot to defend Seabert.
The clock advanced, and, with Christy Ucheibe asking for even more support from the fans, raising their arms, the final whistle arrived and Benfica won!
Already with the athletes not called up also on the lawn, There was a celebration with the presentation of the 2nd trophy this season! Jumping and with their fists raised, in clear symbiosis with the Benfica fans, everyone chanted “and Benfica won”.
Hand in hand, side by side, one more bow for Benfica fans in sign of thanks!
With a guard of honor for the lionesses, who received the medals of the unsuccessful finishers, the same gesture followed by the opponents for the Inspiradoras. These, one by one, received their respective distinctions, jumped and shouted “I love Benfica“, before the captains Sílvia Rebelo and Pauleta lift the Cup!
The trophy was then taken to the Benfica fans, with whom the players celebrated! O Being a Benfica fansung by everyone, was a chilling moment!
In top place in the BPI League, Benfica will compete again on Sunday, May 5th. At 11:00 am, at Valadares Sports Complexstage of winning the third championship in 2022/23, the eagles will face the Valadares Gaia in the 21st and penultimate round of the competition.
DECLARATIONS
Filipa Patão (Benfica coach): “This trophy tastes like a spirit of sacrifice, the team had it. We knew the limitations we had. We took away Sporting’s depth. It was necessary to hide our weaknesses a little and show our strengths. We had a very competent Sporting team, but the players They were magnificent. They fought hard. It’s a phase of the season with decisive games, we will face the three remaining finals in search of success. [Entrada e golo] I’m very happy for Chandra Davidson, but the credit goes to the entire team. We believe in our process, in what we do, and we are here to win titles. We want to win everything. We have to think about another competition. At this moment we are unable to press the whole game, in this case we have 13 more games than our opponent. The sky has to be the limit for us. If we can make a historic season, we will do everything for it. Our fans are magnificent, they are always present. When we are at a club like Benfica, we have to be the personification of that club on the field.”
Chandra Davidson (forward): “I feel great after this, it was an incredible game. We won, it’s a great feeling. [Significado de marcar o golo da vitória] First of all, it’s special. I arrived in January to help the team and I managed to do so from the bench. It’s incredible to come off the bench and help the team win. Our fans are the best, the atmosphere around the game was fantastic. It’s incredible. They helped us have the energy to win the game.”
Andreia Faria (average): “Sporting, this year, changed their approach to the game a little when they face us. They play longer. They have fast players, I think we managed to nullify that strong point and we took advantage of a transition. But in the first half we could have materialized some of the opportunities What I feel at the end of these consecutive games we had against Sporting is that we were able to analyze the moments better, taking care of those same strengths. We were very competent, very balanced back there. lots of opportunities. It was a fair result. It is a pride to be able to represent Benfica on these stages, with this victory. As I said, this is work from six eras ago, not today. What we want is always to achieve victory, we have already won two of the four fronts we were on, we have two left. Today we celebrate, tomorrow [quinta-feira] We started thinking about Valadares, which is a very difficult opponent, on a very complicated field. It could be a historic season for Benfica. Super Cup, League Cup, Champions League quarter-finals… we have two left, the Portuguese Cup and the BPI League. This is what we are going to work towards, we have been focused on this since the beginning of the season. Two are not enough, four are needed. [Os adeptos] There are Benfica fans everywhere, and they come willingly. We saw a complete red wave here. It is very important for us, not only those who were here, but also all those who supported us on television. We just have to be grateful. We play for them. It’s a source of pride.”
Ana Seiça (defense): “Neither team wants to make mistakes, in these games the most important thing is not to concede goals. The victory was fair. We work for this, to win trophies. We have the Championship right around the corner. Our fans have always been pushing for us and we feel that on the field.”
Benfica-Sporting
1-0
Restelo Stadium
Benfica’s eleven
Lena Pauels, Christy Ucheibe, Carole Costa, Ana Seiça, Lúcia Alves, Andreia Faria, Anna Gasper, Francisca Nazareth, Jéssica Silva (Catarina Amado, 60′), Marie Alidou (Chandra Davidson, 82′) and Nycole Raysla (Andreia Norton, 82′)
Substitutes
Rute Costa, Catarina Amado (60′), Sílvia Rebelo, Laís Araújo, Paige Almendariz, Andreia Norton (82′), Andrea Falcón, Chandra Davidson (82′) and Marta Cintra
Our do Sporting
Hannah Seabert, Ana Borges, Andrea Norheim, Rita Fontemanha, Fátima Dutra (Alícia Correia, 90’+1′), Joana Martins (Maiara Niehues, 90’+1′), Brenda Pérez, Cláudia Neto, Olivia Smith, Jacynta Gala ( Diana Silva, 8′) and Brittany Raphino (Ana Capeta, 82′)
Substitutes
Carolina Jóia, Bruna Lourenço, Rita Almeida, Mariana Rosa, Alícia Correia (90’+1′), Maiara Niehues (90’+1′), Maisa Correia, Ana Capeta (82′) and Diana Silva (8′)
At halftime
0-0
Goals
Benfica: Chandra Davidson (83′)