Rafa’s late goal sees Benfica edge hard-fought Lisbon derby 2-1 to overtake Sporting | OneFootball

Sporting 1-2 Benfica

The buildup and excitement were warranted for this highly anticipated Lisbon derby that promised so much. Both sides have had strong campaigns, putting together deep runs in the European Champions League and still had hopes of fighting for the coveted Primeira Liga title. One thing was certain going into Sunday’s battle at the Alvalade — a draw would suit neither side.

As the game sailed towards a 1-1 draw that would have done little for either club, it was a Benfica veteran that emerged with a crucial goal in the final minutes. Rafa Silva’s goal will go a long way towards taking the pressure off José Mourinho and giving the Benfiquistas hope going into the final stage of the season, at least of securing second place and the chance of Champions League football next season.

It was hard to separate these two sides over the 90 minutes in a match that could’ve fallen either way. After Luis Suárez missed a penalty early on, Andreas Schjelderup converted his opportunity from the spot to give Benfica the early advantage. The Eagles were organised defensively and held on to their lead well into the second half before Hidemasa Morita connected with Zeno Debast’s pinpoint cross to head in an equaliser in the 72nd minute.

Both sides had their chances to snatch the three points, but it was the experienced Rafa who would have the last laugh, converting a close-range effort to stun the Sporting supporters late into added time.

The result places Benfica within four points of leaders FC Porto ahead of their match later tonight at home to Tondela, but the momentum now seems firmly with the Northern Portuguese club as we approach the business end of the season. Sporting’s chances of a third consecutive league title were all but quashed today. Unless the Dragons slip up badly, the main battle will be between Rui Borges’ team and Benfica for the runners-up spot. 

Early chances for Catamo and Ríos

The first chance of the match fell to Geny Catamo in the 5th minute with the Mozambican winger

turning to face the goal and angling a low shot that was clumsily fumbled by Trubin. The ball seemed destined for the back of the net, but somehow bounced off the crossbar for a corner.

Richard Ríos responded shortly after with a left-footed rocket that was deflected out in the 8th minute. The resulting corner was curled in by Fredrik Aursnes, and if not for a fine save from Silva, who was quick to latch on to Rios’ header, it could’ve easily been 1-0 to the visiting side.

Referee awards two penalties within 10 minutes

Aside from the early exchanges, this edition of the derby remained relatively calm. That was until a decisive moment involving the officials. Trincão, a former Barcelona phenom and one of Sporting’s top performers this season, was balancing the ball in the box before he was clipped by Aursnes in the box, a miscued attempt at the ball from the Scandinavian who appeared to stomp on the Portuguese star’s foot. At first glance, play resumed, and it seemed to have gone unnoticed. Within a minute, however, the referee paused the match to walk over to the VAR screen and, after a brief review, deemed that it was indeed a penalty.

Instead of smashing it home, Suarez chose to open his right foot in an attempt to place the ball into the right corner of the goal. Trubin guessed correctly and was able to palm the ball away in what would turn out to be a pivotal moment.

The penalty seemed to revive the spectators, and the Benfica players as well. Benfica sprang to life with some hard tacks and daring runs down the pitch.

A few moments later, another controversial penalty decision that would sway the supporters, this time the ruling fell in favour of Benfica. There was no question that the ball hit Morita’s dangling hand. Whether it was intentional or not, the referee was left with little option but to award the penalty.

With no Pavlidis in the lineup, it was the young Norwegian who stepped. Schjelderup, unlike his counterpart Suarez, made no mistake, lashing a low shot into the left side of the goal as Rui Silva could only watch.

A series of hard tackles followed, with Hjulmand receiving the first yellow card of the match for what seemed to be talking back to the referee. A very harsh decision considering what was at stake in this fiery affair.

Second half littered with chances

With a vital one-goal lead to hang on to, Benfica ensured they had plenty of men behind the ball to begin the second spell. Mourinho was well aware that at this stage of the contest, the pressure was on Sporting to take the initiative.

Sporting, however, were not backing down. In the 50th minute, it was Pedro Gonçalves who was able to carve out a chance, turning onto his right foot and placing a low shot that, unfortunately for Sporting, ricochet right back off the post.

As the game opened up, Schjelderup nearly recorded his second of the night. It was another brilliant save from Portuguese international keeper Silva that kept Sporting within touching distance of their Lisbon rivals.

Catamo and Hjulmand both attempted long-range efforts to little avail. In the 59th minute, Gonçalves nearly connected with a cross from the right side of the pitch. His half volley, however, dribbled into the keeper's hands

Perhaps Sporting's best chance, though, came in the 64th minute. Araújo deserves the bulk of the credit after his relentless pressure down the left wing saw him strip Gianluca Prestianni and regain possession for the Lions. The ball eventually ended up with Morita, who produced a gorgeous curler towards the right post. His attempt, though, sailed just wide.

Morita responds for Sporting

Morita kept his focus, though, and it didn’t take long for another chance to fall his way. This time, the Japanese midfielder did not flinch, calmly heading the ball across the goal to equalise in the 72nd minute. A fitting finish to a quality ball that was launched into the box from Zeno Debast.

Everything seemed to be falling Sporting’s way, but it was the visitors who nearly stole this one in the final minutes. Mourinho’s changes seemed to have injected some life into his players, with substitute Lukebakio finding some space down the right wing and providing a dangerous cross into the box. This time, it was Leandro Barreiro at the end of the cross who was inches away from putting Benfica ahead.

Sporting, however, had chances of their own and even had the ball in the back of the net. Unfortunately for Rafael Nel, who had done well to round the keeper at the tap in, he was ruled to be just offside.

Rafa Silva applies finishing touches to memorable derby

As previously mentioned, a draw did little to appease either side, and that led to a tense finish where both sides pressed up the pitch. Sporting were unable to take their chances, but there was enough time for Benfica to make them pay. Three minutes into added time, it was a familiar face that left his mark on the derby. Aursnes and Ríos were both involved in the build-up, but it was Barreira’s pass that unlocked Rafa. The craft midfielder doesn’t need much space to operate, and when he found himself  driving into the box with just the keeper to beat, he kept his cool to slot the ball down the left side.

Sporting 1-2 Benfica highlights

Sporting CP: Rui Silva, Eduardo Quaresma (Georgios Vagiannidis, 60’), Ousmane Diomande (Zeno Debast, 60’), Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Hidemasa Morita (Daniel Bragança, 88), Morten Hjulmand, Geny Catamo (Rafael Nel, 88’), Pedro Gonçalves (Geovany Quenda, 67’), Francisco Trincão, Luis Suárez

SL Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin, Amar Dedi, Nicolás Otamendi, Tomás Araújo (António Silva, 77’), Samuel Dahl, Leandro Barreiro, Fredrik Aursnes, Richard Ríos, Gianluca Prestianni (Dodi Lukebakio, 78), Andreas Schjelderup (Rafa Silva, 77’), Franjo Ivanovic (Vangelis Pavlidis, 77’)