Porto dominate second half and thrash Benfica (42-32) | OneFootball

FC Porto hosted and beat Benfica today 42-32 in the second round of Group A of the final stage of the national handball championship, moving back into second place in the competition.

After Sporting secured qualification for the Champions League quarter-finals, the championship returned to center stage, with the direct rivals battling for second place, a spot that could grant access to next season’s edition of the European competition.

The match began with great intensity and attacking efficiency from both sides, with the score reflecting the balance in the opening minutes, until FC Porto built a small cushion that reached four goals (14-10).

Benfica responded before halftime, largely thanks to the introduction of goalkeeper Capdeville, and managed to turn the score around, going into the break with a 19-17 lead after a 9-3 run from 14-10.

In the second half, the Dragons came out stronger and quickly erased the deficit, taking control of the game with a 9-3 run by the 40-minute mark (26-22), driven by their attacking efficiency and several saves from Abrahamsson.

Porto kept up their dominance until the end, stretching the gap to 10 goals (42-32) in a second half of clear superiority against a Benfica side unable to stop the pace imposed by their opponents.

Vasco Costa was the game’s top scorer, with nine goals for the blue and whites, while for Benfica, Belone Moreira stood out with five goals.

The emphatic win allowed FC Porto to return to second place with 34 points, overtaking Benfica, who are now third with 33. Sporting lead with 36 points and will still face Águas Santas in this round.

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