FC Porto and Benfica faced each other, this Saturday, for the 16th round of the 1st phase of the national roller hockey championship. At Dragão Caixa, the blue and whites won 7-1.
After a balanced first half, nothing could predict what the second half would be like. FC Porto scored six goals in just over a quarter of an hour against a Benfica that was dominated and sank in a surprising way for the still national champion and once again contender for the title.
Four minutes into the match, Hélder Nunes made a save from Pedro Henriques, and Carlo Di Benedetto appeared at the second post on the rebound and opened the scoring in the roller hockey classic.
FC Porto continued to create more opportunities in the match in the first quarter of an hour of the match. However, Benfica also began to grow in the match and create a threat to Xavi Malián’s goal, who in the 12th minute made a great save to prevent Gonçalo Pinto’s equalizer.
Seven minutes before the break, Zé Miranda equalized the score with a shot crossed from outside the area by the young Red hockey player, who betrayed the blue and white goalkeeper who still touched the ball.
In the 21st minute, a great play by Roberto di Benedetto, but Xavi Malián avoided the turnaround with a great save. The Dragons didn’t want to be left behind and in a combination between Gonçalo Alves and Hélder Nunes, who shot for a beautiful save by Pedro Henriques.
The two teams return to the locker room with the game tied at 1-1. The home team had a total of seven fouls, compared to six for the red team.
Goals rain at Dragão Caixa in the second half
Three minutes into the second half, Nil Roca was shown a blue card for a foul on Gonçalo Alves. Afterwards, Hélder Nunes gave FC Porto the lead again, with a direct free kick.
Gonçalo Alves changed the scoreboard again after the 5th minute. The Dragons’ number ’77’ took advantage of a rebound in the area to make the match 3-1. The Dragons were ahead of the match and 17 minutes before the break, a pass from Carlo di Benedetto and Hélder Nunes scored twice in the match.
In the next play, Edu Lamas makes the 10th foul on Nicolia. With a direct free-kick, the Argentine shot wide of Xavi Malián’s goal, after the first free-kick, which had ended in a goal for the Reds on the rebound, had to be repeated, as the blue and white goalkeeper left the goal ahead of time.
The former’s law was once again fulfilled when shortly afterwards, Edu Lamas scored the Dragons’ fifth goal.
FC Porto owned and mastered the game and reached the sixth goal through Hélder Nunes, who reached the hat-trick in the match on the 19th round. Pedro Henriques prevented the defeat from being greater, 10 minutes from the end, defending the direct free kick, following Benfica’s tenth foul.
The Reds again wasted another blatant opportunity, when, with a direct free kick, Roberto di Benedetto allowed Xavi Malián to save.
Diogo Barata joined the ranks of scorers for the blue and whites, closing the match at 7-1.
Benfica thus lost for the second consecutive time away from home, after the defeat in Valongo (3-2), and occupies fourth place in the general classification, with 32 points, seven less than FC Porto, third placed, and 11 less than Sporting, the isolated leader of the championship.
Game sheet
Game held at Dragão Arena, in Porto.
FC Porto – Benfica, 7-1.
At half-time: 1-1.
Tags:
1-0, Carlo Di Benedetto, 05 minutes.
1-1, José Miranda, 18.
2-1, Hélder Nunes, 28 (direct free kick).
3-1, Gonçalo Alves, 30.
4-1, Hélder Nunes, 33.
5-1, Edu Lamas, 35.
6-1, Hélder Nunes, 39.
7-1, Diogo Barata, 44.
With refereeing by Joaquim Pinto, Fernando Vasconcelos and Victor Gachineiro, the teams lined up:
– FC Porto: Xavi Malián, Edu Lamas, Hélder Nunes, Gonçalo Alves and Carlo di Benedetto. They also played: Ezequiel Mena, Rafa, Telmo Pinto and Diogo Barata.
Coach: Ricardo Ares.
– Benfica: Pedro Henriques, Nil Roca, Roberto di Benedetto, Pol Manrubia, Lucas Ordoñez. They also played: Gonçalo Pinto, Carlos Nicolia, José Miranda and Diogo Rafaeal.
Coach: Nuno Resende.
Attendance: around 2,200 spectators.