Benfica's record at Moreirense is far from favourable | OneFootball

There is a recent trend in Moreira de Cónegos that Benfica will certainly want to reverse. In the last six seasons, the Eagles have drawn four of the six matchesplayed at Moreirense’s ground, a record that contrasts with the history that had been overwhelmingly favorable to the club from Luz before that period.

In the first 14 meetings held in Moreira de Cónegos, Benfica had dropped points only once: in December 2012, in a 1-1 draw for the League Cup. In the league, Benfica’s record remained perfect until February 14, 2021.

For the first time, Moreirense had managed to stop Benfica at home in the league. Benfica’s 2-1 win in the opening round of the following season seemed to restore normality to the matchups, but it ended up preceding an unprecedented run: three consecutive draws between 2022 and 2024 at Moreirense’s ground.

The first came on December 17, 2022, again a 1-1 draw, a result that contributed to Benfica’s elimination in the League Cup group stage. Then in Liga 2, Moreirense managed to hold the Eagles to a point and secured qualification for the quarter-finals. Back in the top flight the following season, Moreirense pulled off another surprise. On December 3, 2023, Rui Borges’ side held Benfica, then the reigning national champions, to a 0-0 draw on Matchday 12.

The latest chapter in this run came on August 30, 2024. Lawrence Ofori put Moreirense ahead in the 84th minute, taking advantage of a scramble, and the Canons’ first home win against the Eagles seemed all but sealed. However, Marcos Leonardo equalized from the penalty spot in the 90+8'. The goal spared Benfica from defeat, but it did not prevent them from dropping points or Roger Schmidt’s departure as head coach of the Eagles.

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