Vangelis Pavlidis decisive as Benfica beat Santa Clara 2-1 in Liga Portugal | OneFootball

Benfica kept their title hopes alive in the Açores where they registered a 2-1 victory against Santa Clara.

Petit’s side enjoyed an early spell of pressure but it was Benfica who took the lead in the 16th minute. Tomás Araújo’s cross picked out Vangelis Pavlidis who headed past Gabriel Batista.

The goalkeeper was called into action to deny Rafa Silva before Leandro Barreiro went down in the box, referee António Nobre deciding there was not enough contact from Frederico Venâncio to warrant a penalty.

Rafa fired into the side netting as the chances kept coming for the Eagles, their second goal coming in the 38th minute.

Pavlidis did well to drive to the byline and send a cross into the danger area, Gianluca Prestianni unable to connect before Paulo Victor diverted the ball into his own net.

The second half had barely begun when Santa Clara reduced the deficit. Gonçalo Paciência headed Gustavo Klismahn’s corner towards goal, Anatoliy Trubin allowing the ball to slip through his fingers in an embarrassing moment for the goalkeeper.

Benfica failed to land the killer blow but did enough to hold the hosts at bay, Lucas Soares sent off for a second booking in added time.

Eagles in the Race

The victory drew Benfica level with Sporting Clube de Portugal and four points behind Porto, both clubs with a game in hand.

With José Mourinho’s side the only unbeaten team in the Primeira Liga, they are in position to strike as the season approaches crunch time.

Rafa started for the second straight game since rejoining the club. Yet to fire on all cylinders, he could prove decisive with the team still getting used to the playmaker pulling the strings.

Benfica now turn their attention to another UEFA Champions League clash against Real Madrid.