GAME SUMMARY
BPI League 19th round
FINAL RESULT
INT: 2-0
Sporting
3
Benfica
1
Markers
Brittany Raphino 29′
Joana Martins 45’+1′
Olivia Smith 74′
Carole Costa 54′ gp
O Benfica conceded in the derby of the 19th round of the BPI League (3-1), against Sporting, played on the afternoon of this Sunday, April 14th. An inglorious result given the response given by the Eagles in the second half of the challenge, decided by efficiency.
Returning to the competition, after a two-week break due to national team commitments, Benfica and Sporting met again, this time in a National Championship game.
Underlining the difference in competitive moment already preview – this is because the last match was related to the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup (1-0) –, Filipa Patão pointed out that the reds would have to present themselves in the “best version” to achieve a new triumph.
Compared to the previous derby, the eagles’ technique promoted only a change in the starting eleven, launching Anna Gasper, who on this day completed her 50th game with an eagle on her chest, in place of Pauleta.
No Aurélio Pereira Stadiumthe kick-off belonged to the Sporting team, who, in the 4th minute, created the first dangerous situation, through Brittany Raphino, but Lena Paules held and, subsequently, the referee signaled offside.
At 9′, Joana Martins committed a foul on Francisca Nazareth, for a free kick. When marking, Anna Gasper made the pass to Andreia Faria, who tried to place the ball in the opposite area, but the green and white defense blocked it away.
Sporting watched the red ascendant in the minute 16in which Marie Alidou had Benfica’s best opportunity on his feet, with a remate through.
Two minutes later (18′), Francisca Nazareth, in the small area, tried to score a goal with her heel, which was saved by Hannah Seabert. At 19′, Christy Ucheibe headed the ball for the Leonine goalkeeper to grab.
Installed in the opponent’s midfield, Benfica continued to charge and, at 26′, Marie Alidou forced Hannah Seabert to stretch to ward off danger.
Sporting’s response, however, was not long in coming and, in a counterattack situation, close to half an hour into the game (29′), the team scored the advantage: Brittany Raphino received from Olivia Smith, won the duel with Laís Araújo and initialed the 1-0.
Behind the result, in a game played at a good pace and with intensity, Lucia Alvesof book, made the ball go wide of the opponent’s goal (40′).
Already in the compensation time of this first part (45’+1′), an error by the red defense led to the 2-0. In an insistent move, Brittany Raphino intercepted Laís Araújo’s pass to Christy Ucheibe and tried to shoot, but, without space, handed the ball away. Joana Martinsheading towards the goal.
Upon resuming, Filipa Patão changed the team, promoting the entries by Jéssica Silva and Nycole Raysla for the seats of Chandra Davidson and Marie Alidou, respectively.
At 50′, Laís Araújo reduced it to 2-1following a free kick from Lúcia Alves, but the Referee Teresa Oliveira disallowed the red midfielder’s offside goal. Four minutes later (54′) Carole Costa really shot to countalready conversion of a penaltydue to a foul by Ana Borges on Nycole Raysla.
2-1 result in the match, and everything is open, with Benfica dominating, looking for a draw!
Catarina Amado, in the 64th minute, received it from Anna Gasper and, already in the area, when she was ready to shoot, she saw Ana Borges cut the ball off her. In the resulting corner, Lúcia Alves shot for Hannah Seabert’s incomplete save and, on the recovery, Jéssica Silva shot in an arc to make it 2-2. The goal was, however, invalidated: according to the refereeing team, Nycole Raysla interfered with the Leonine goalkeeper’s action..
At 69′, Francisca Nazareth shot hard with her left foot, over the goal. Against the run of play, given Benfica’s more offensive stance, Sporting expanded to 3-1 at 74′. Long pass from Andrea Norheim for reception and accurate shot Olivia Smith.
Until the end, the Inspiring still had a good opportunity to reduce, through a ball on the woodwork from Francisca Nazareth (84′). O 3-1, however, did not change. Inglorious result given the reply given in the second half of the match.
With this outcome, the Benfica (47 points) leads the BPI League standings with a two-point advantage over Sporting, in 2nd place.
Follow new derby at Aurélio Pereira Stadiumcounting towards the 2nd leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-finals. The teams face each other again 5:15 p.m. Sunday, April 21.
DECLARATIONS
Filipa Patão (Benfica coach): “We were, first of all, not efficient in finishing. We had several opportunities to score a goal and we didn’t do it. We were not competent in the defensive process, in reacting to loss and in the pressure. Mistakes are costly. In the first two goals from Sporting, we had individual errors that are difficult to overcome, but we will deal with them and manage them in the best way possible. In the second half we started very well, on top of Sporting, trying to turn the result around. Unfortunately, we were unable to achieve the second result. goal, and from the moment Sporting scored the third goal, mentally, I felt the team was down. We will continue to do our best to stay in 1st place in the Championship.”
Pauleta (Benfica midfielder): “We came here to win. We didn’t manage to win, but it was a well-played game, like the previous ones against Sporting. In the first half we had opportunities to score and we couldn’t do it. We wasted a lot of opportunities and, in a game like this, whoever wastes it ends up for suffering. We didn’t do everything well, because if we had, we would have won.”
Sporting-Benfica
3-1
Aurélio Pereira Stadium
Benfica’s eleven
Lena Pauels, Christy Ucheibe, Carole Costa, Laís Araújo, Lúcia Alves, Andreia Faria (Andreia Norton, 75′), Anna Gasper (Pauleta, 75′), Catarina Amado (Andrea Falcón, 75′), Francisca Nazareth, Marie Alidou ( Nycole Raysla, 46′) and Chandra Davidson (Jéssica Silva, 46′)
Substitutes
Rute Costa, Ana Seiça, Sílvia Rebelo, Paige Almendariz, Nycole Raysla (46′), Jéssica Silva (46′), Andreia Norton (75′), Pauleta (75′) and Andrea Falcón (75′)
Our do Sporting
Hannah Seabert, Andrea Norheim, Fátima Dutra (Mariana Rosa, 87′), Joana Martins, Ana Borges, Brenda Pérez, Olivia Smith (Carolina Santiago, 87′), Brittany Raphino, Diana Silva (Cláudia Neto, 82′), Jacynta Galabadaarachchi (Ana Capeta, 65′) and Alícia Correia
Substitutes
Carolina Jóia, Bruna Lourenço, Rita Fontemanha, Ana Capeta (65′), Cláudia Neto (82′), Ana Teles, Carolina Santiago (87′), Rita Almeida and Mariana Rosa (87′)
At halftime
2-0
Goals
Benfica: Carole Costa (54′ gp); Sporting: Brittany Raphino (29′), Joana Martins (45’+1′) and Olivia Smith (74′)