FC Porto beat Benfica in decider, into women's play-off final | OneFootball

FC Porto secured qualification tonight for the women’s volleyball playoff final by beating Benfica at home in the fifth game of the semi-finals.

After four matches in which home advantage had made no difference, with two wins for each side – Porto winning at the Luz and Benfica at the Dragão Arena – this time the home court proved decisive.

In front of a packed Dragão Arena, and without any intervention from FC Porto president André Villas-Boas, Porto won 3-1, with set scores of 25-19, 25-17, 22-25 and 25-21.

Next comes the title showdown with Sp. Braga, who knocked out Sporting, while Benfica see their hopes of retaining the trophy they won last season against the Minho side come to an end, after having gone 50 years without winning the competition.

FC Porto’s captain set the tone for the team’s bid to lift the trophy again after winning it in 2023/24. “This is what we want, to be in the final. We really want to bring this title to the club,” Joana Resende told Porto Canal.

The coach also stressed that his team worked “with character” to overcome the Eagles and said FC Porto were “superior” yesterday. Miguel Coelho also criticised those who argue that FC Porto have a bigger budget and are therefore obliged to win.

On Benfica’s side, Alice Clemente congratulated FC Porto. “Someone had to lose…”

The final, played as a best-of-five series, begins next Sunday, the 26th, with the opening match taking place at the Dragão Arena, thanks to FC Porto’s better regular-season finish (1st) compared to Sp. Braga (2nd).

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