Pavlidis header sets Benfica up as unbeaten league run continues | OneFootball

Benfica beat Santa Clara 2-1 at Estádio de São Miguel to extend their unbeaten Liga Portugal season and stay third.

In the 16th minute, Evangelos Pavlidis glanced in Tomás Araújo's cross to put the visitors ahead. The striker leads the Liga Portugal scoring with 20 this season.

Paulo Victor then turned into his own net (38.) to double the cushion before the interval. Águias had earlier forced openings, with Gabriel Batista busy in the home goal.

After the restart, Gustavo Klismahn's cross following a corner found Goncalo Paciencia, who headed in (47.) to halve the deficit for Santa Clara.

Lucas Soares de Almeida received a second yellow and was sent off in the second minute of stoppage time.

A first half stoppage for a Tomás Araújo knock briefly paused play.

Águias registered 11 attempts and won seven corners. Santa Clara saw 52.5% of the ball but managed only two efforts on target.

Next, Santa Clara visit Alverca. Águias host Real Madrid in the Champions League next.