Benfica 1-1 Santa Clara: late equaliser after Otamendi howler stuns the Luz | OneFootball

SL Benfica 1-1 CD Santa Clara

With last season’s second-place and fifth-place sides meeting at the Estádio da Luz, the 59,507 supporters that made it out on Friday were hoping to see an entertaining matchup between two of Portugal’s top clubs, and this encounter did not disappoint. After a sluggish start, the game provided plenty of excitement, drama and controversy. In the end, it will be Santa Clara that leaves the happier side after securing an unlikely 1-1 draw on the night.

The visitors were forced to play the majority of the match with 10 men after midfielder Paulo Victor received a direct red card in the first half. Benfica’s star striker Vangelis Pavlidis put the home side ahead, but a critical error from Otamendi gifted Santa Clara a late equaliser.

Benfica supporters left frustrated after an underwhelming display from their players. The Eagles dropped their first league points of the season, and now trail Porto by two points. The draw gives Santa Clara some breathing space, with the Azores club earning four points over the last six days to move into eighth position.

Benfica come out with attacking formation, Santa Clara stick with 3-4-3

Following a lacklustre second-half display against Alverca in their previous league match, Bruno Lage chose to come out with a more attacking lineup this time, starting both Vangelis Pavlidis and Franjo Ivanovic. Pavlidis was the club’s top goal-scorer by a distance last season and played a large portion of it as the lone striker. Throwing in the 21-year-old Croatian striker, who arrived at Benfica this summer with a big reputation, offers the Eagles a potent one-two punch. The two forwards are still learning to play alongside each other and link up in the final third, but could be key pieces as Benfica look to compete domestically and in Europe.

With right-back Amar Dedić receiving a red card in his previous outing, Tomás Araújo was brought in at the right-back position.

The centre-back partnership of Nicolás Otamendi and António Silva remained intact, and the Portuguese manager went with what appears to be his preferred midfield combination of Fredrik Aursnes, Richard Ríos, Enzo Barrenechea and Andreas Schjelderup.

Santa Clara were in action last weekend against Estoril and managed to earn a 1-0 victory. After securing their first win of the campaign, Vasco Matos stuck with an identical eleven. Gabriel Batista, Sidney Lima, Frederico Venâncio and Matheus Nunes de Araújo would be tasked with containing Benfica’s front two. Serginho, Adriano Firmino would once again anchor the midfield. Brazilian Gabriel Silva, who was one of the club’s standout players last season, began the match as the team's centre forward.

Santa Clara’s stubborn defence frustrate Benfica in opening half

Benfica held the majority of possession in the opening stages, but struggled to find their rhythm. That changed, however, when Ríos found himself with space outside the penalty area in the 7th minute and fired a low shot that forced a good save from Batista. Shortly after, Pavlidis recorded his first shot of the game before Ríos again tested Batista in the 12th minute. At the quarter-hour mark, it seemed like a matter of time before Benfica would break through.

In the 23rd minute, Ivanovic had one of his best chances of the night. A beautifully weighted curling cross into the six-yard box from Ríos fell to the forward, who was unable to get his head on the ball and could only watch as it sailed past the side of the goalpost.

For Santa Clara, Brenner looked the most lively early on, with his speed causing problems down the wings for both Dahl and Araújo.

Benfica struggled to find space against a disciplined Santa Clara side. Matos’ 3-4-3 formation easily converted into a back five, and frustrated the home side in the first half. Benfica were able to conjure up a few long-range efforts, but they were not the usual attacking force we have seen over the last two months.

In the 35th minute, the game transformed after a controversial decision form the referee. A miscue saw the ball get away from Paulo Victor. The Brazilian could have tracked back, but chose instead to lunge and attempt to win it back. His high foot caught Araújo in the face in what can only be categorised as a reckless foul. After a video review, the referee upgraded the card from a yellow to red, sending off the midfielder and leaving the visitors a man down with 55 minutes still remaining.

Despite playing with 10 men, Santa Clara were resolute. In the 43rd minute, Gabriel Silva missed a glorious chance to give his side an improbable lead. The Brazilian latched onto the rebound after a long run and shot by Venâncio had stung Trubin’s hands. Silva’s shot, though, flew just wide of the goal. It was the best chance of the half for either side, and a warning sign for the Eagles.

At this point, the islanders relied predominantly on counterattacking football, but made sure not to simply sit back and absorb the pressure. Benfica nearly captured the lead just before the half. A firm header from Pavlidis landed directly in Batista’s hands just before the midway point.

Pavlidis tap-in breaks deadlock

As expected, Benfica came out with a more direct approach in the second half. Prestianni was brought on for Araújo, a clear signal of intent from Lage. Benfica continued to dominate possession early in the half, and the ball spent the majority of time in Santa Clara territory. Ausnes and Dahl were both moving farther up the pitch as Lage searched for a solution to unlock the organised Santa Clara defence.

The breakthrough finally came, with Pavldiis once again playing the role of hero. A free kick from the right wing allowed Aursnes to launch a dangerous cross that was met by Otamendi just outside the six-yard box. The Benfica captain headed the ball down on goal and made sure to put it on target. Batista did well to get his hand to it, but could only watch as the ball fell to Pavlidis, who had a simple tap-in from close range.

It was the Greek striker’s third goal of the campaign, and one that brought the supporters at the Luz back to life.

Otamendi howler gifts Vinícius late equaliser to stun the Estádio da Luz

Following the goal, Matos immediately turned to his bench for reinforcements, bringing on Vinícius Lopes and Diogo Calila in the hopes of swinging that match back in Santa Clara’s favor.

Benfica continued to push for a second. Ivanovic came close to getting on the end of a low cross in the 64th minute. Pavlidis also had a great opportunity in the 71st minute, which he rocketed well over the crossbar.

As the teams approached the final stage, the Azores club were still hanging in there and eyeing a chance to surprise the hosts. Calila came striding down the left wing in the 75th minute and his left-footed shot was pushed aside for a corner by Trubin. From the resulting corner, Santa Clara had a shout for a handball in the box, which was promptly dismissed by the referee.

Just when the game seemed done and dusted, a vital mistake allowed the visitors back into the game. In stoppage time, a routine long ball fell to Otamendi just outside the Benfica penalty box. The experienced defender had time and space, but for some reason attempted a risky header back to his keeper. Otamendi dived, but was unable to make enough of a connection. With the defender on the ground, the ball landed at the feet of Vinícius, who found himself one-on-one with the keeper. The substitute kept his composure, calmly placed a right-footed shot past the keeper to leave the home supporters stunned. A shocking mistake from one of the most seasoned defenders in Portugal, and the last player that anyone expected to make such a costly misstep.

Benfica 1-1 Santa Clara highlights

Lineups:

SL Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin, Tomás Araújo (Gianluca Prestianni, 46'), Nicolás Otamendi, António Silva, Samuel Dahl, Fredrik Aursnes, Richard Ríos (Leandro Barreiro, 72'), Enzo Barrenechea, Andreas Schjelderup, Franjo Ivanovic (Henrique Araújo, 72'), Vangelis Pavlidis

CD Santa Clara: Gabriel Batista, Sidney Lima, Frederico Venâncio, Matheus Nunes Fagundes de Araújo, Lucas Soares, Serginho (Luquinhas, 81'), Adriano Firmino (Pedro Ferreira, 81'), Paulo Victor, Brenner Lucas (Vinícius Lopes, 61'), Gabriel Silva (Diogo Calila, 61'), Matheus Pereira (Anthony Carter, 81')