Benfica beat Santa Clara and move within four points of top spot, for now | OneFootball

Benfica defeated Santa Clara 2-1 this Friday, February 13, in a match counting for the 22nd round of Liga Portugal Betclic. After their victory against Alverca, the team from Luz confirmed their good form in the National Championship.

In a match played at Estádio de São Miguel, in the Azores, the Eagles scored the first goal in the 16th minute. Tomás Araújo crossed the ball perfectly to the far post, where Vangelis Pavlidis rose above everyone and headed it in. The 2-0 came in the 38th minute. A masterful play by the Greek down the left, who went to the byline and crossed it in with pace. Gianluca Prestianni appeared in the six-yard box to try to tap it in, but it ended up being Paulo Victor who put the ball into his own net.

In the second half, the Azoreans pulled one back right at the 47th minute. After a corner from the left, Gonçalo Paciência headed weakly in the heart of the area, but Anatoliy Trubin couldn’t hold onto the ball and it slipped between his legs. After the islanders’ goal, the match didn’t see many clear chances for either team and the score remained unchanged. Note also the sending off of Lucas Soares (90+2’) on Santa Clara’s side for a second yellow card.

With this victory – their 26th in 41 matches this season – José Mourinho’s men now have 52 points and remain in third place in the Liga Portugal Betclic standings. Porto (56) are in first place (with one game less). Sporting are second with 52 (also with one game less).

The Eagles will be back in action next Tuesday, February 17, against Real Madrid. The match, counting for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 playoff, against Álvaro Arbeloa’s side, will be played at 20:00 at Luz.

Vangelis Pavlidis (1-0):

Paulo Victor (o.g. 2-0):

Gonçalo Paciência (2-1):

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.