Pavlidis strikes as Benfica stay unbeaten before Europe | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Benfica beat Santa Clara 2-1 at Estádio de São Miguel. Evangelos Pavlidis headed the Águias ahead in the 16th minute from Tomás Araújo's cross. An own goal by Paulo Victor doubled the Encarnados' lead (38.), then Gonçalo Paciência nodded in after a corner to halve it (47.). The Águias created the better chances, firing eight shots inside the box to the hosts' one and winning seven corners to one, despite 47.5% possession. Encarnados remain third and unbeaten in the league and host Real Madrid in the Champions League next, while Santa Clara, still 16th, visit Alverca.

Player of the Match: Pavlidis led the line, scoring with a close-range header and creating two big chances to keep the Águias in control.

Stat of the Match: Frederico Venancio made nine clearances, a steady presence as Santa Clara limited late danger.

Three Things We Learned: Pavlidis leads the Liga Portugal scoring on 20 goals. Santa Clara were shown four yellow cards. Lucas Soares de Almeida received a second yellow and was sent off in the second minute of second half stoppage time.