Dramatic win at Benfica, Sporting drives Rui Costa mad | OneFootball

Rui Costa experienced Benfica’s victory over Sporting with tremendous intensity, a win decided on penalties that left the Reds just one triumph away from winning the national futsal title. At the end of a match packed with emotion and twists, the Eagles’ president did not hide his delight in the stands of the Pavilhão Fidelidade, where he watched one of the most thrilling games of the season.

With this victory, the team coached by Cassiano Klein moved ahead in the playoff final, taking a 2-1 lead in the series and moving to within one win of securing back-to-back national titles. The fourth game of the series is scheduled for Thursday at 8:30 p.m. at the Pavilhão João Rocha. Benfica started better and quickly took the lead thanks to goals from André Coelho and Diego Nunes. However, Sporting responded through Merlim, who cut the deficit with a trademark toe-poke finish.

Carlinhos extended Benfica’s lead again in the 16th minute, making it 3-1, but Sporting’s response came just before half-time, with Pauleta making it 3-2 and keeping everything open for the second half. After a frenetic first half, the pace dropped in the second period, although the uncertainty over the winner never disappeared.

André Coelho took advantage of a defensive lapse by Sporting to restore Benfica’s two-goal advantage, but Pauleta once again took center stage. The Sporting winger scored in the 34th and 35th minutes, completing his hat-trick and sending the match into extra time. In extra time, Higor seemed to have put Benfica in a prime position to win by finishing off a quick counterattack that restored the lead for the Reds. However, just when victory seemed assured, another tense moment emerged.

With just 29 seconds left, Diego Nunes committed the team’s sixth foul and Sporting were awarded a direct free-kick with no wall. Tomás Paçó did not waste the opportunity and beat Diogo Carrera, who had temporarily come into goal in place of Gugiel, sending the match to penalties.

In the end, the decision went Benfica’s way after a long penalty shootout marked by tremendous balance. Afonso Jesus missed for the Reds, but Merlim also squandered Sporting’s fifth attempt when he had the chance at his feet to seal the series in the Lions’ favor.

The uncertainty continued until Zicky Té missed his shot. Diogo Carrera once again took on the role of hero by saving the Portuguese international’s penalty, triggering an explosion of joy in the stands of the Pavilhão Fidelidade. The victory leaves Benfica just one win away from retaining the national title, in a final that continues to deliver moments of enormous emotion between the two eternal rivals.

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