Benfica hang on for narrow 2-1 win over Alverca to maintain perfect start to league campaign | OneFootball

FC Alverca 1-2 SL Benfica

Bruno Lage and his players were able to secure a 2-1 victory against Alverca at the Complexo Desportivo FC Alverca on Sunday evening, but Benfica will consider themselves fortunate to walk away with all three points after a hard-fought affair that could have gone either way. Two early goals from Andreas Schjelderup and Amar Dedić put the visitors in the driver's seat, but a spirited display from a young and hungry Alverca side showed that they have the talent and desire to push for survival, and possibly even a top-half finish in the Primeira Liga.

With Vinícius Júnior watching from the stands, Alverca put together a brave performance that their staff, supporters, and owners should be proud of. The Real Madrid forward and club's co-proprietor watched anxiously from the stands as his team pushed Benfica all the way to the end. Vinícius was delighted when Ivory Coast midfielder Davy Gui scored for the Ribatejo club in the 85th minute to set up an entertaining finish to the match, but unfortunately for the home side, that was all they were able to scrounge up. Alverca manager Custódio Castro will be delighted with his team's effort and should feel positive about their chances when they host Tondela in two weeks.

For Benfica, the result sees them continue their strong start to the 2025-26 league season. The Lisbon club has recorded nine points from their first three matches and conceded just one goal along the way. This was a shaky performance from the Eagles, littered with yellow cards (including one red), sloppy defending, and some poor finishing in the final third. In the end, however, Benfica survived a nervy final 10-minute stretch and did just enough to hang on and maintain their perfect start to the campaign.

Schjelderup and Dedic hand Benfica the early advantage

As expected, Benfica began the game on the front foot. A series of crosses forced Alverca back in the opening minutes, and they were unable to repel the early onslaught. It took just five minutes for Schjelderup to open the scoring. The Norwegian winger did well to connect with a header back into the box from Enzo Barrenechea, instinctively picking up the ball just outside the six-yard box and casually placing it into the net. Alverca keeper Matheus Mendes had little chance of coming up with a save, especially after Schjelderup snuck past his back line and was left completely unmarked.

Alverca grew into the game as they reached the quarter-hour mark. They were able to move the ball up the field and find space down the wings. Isaac James and Chiquinho looked particularly dangerous down the left side of the field.

In the 23rd minute, a low cross fell to Marezi in the box, who could only angle a tame shot at Soares. A couple of minutes later, it was Cédric Nuozzi who found himself charging down the right wing. The 19-year-old connected well, but his low shot was well saved by Soares. The rebounds fell to James, who sailed his shot over the goal. Sabit Abdulai had another good chance in the 34th minute after some great work from full-back Nabil Touaizi to win the ball from Nicolás Otamendi. Alex Amorim, Marezi, Sabit and Touaizi all had chances to get on the scoresheet in the opening 45 minutes, but failed to capitalise.

As the half came to a close, it was a moment of brilliant individual play from Dedić that saw Benfica double their lead. Dedić has been outstanding over the last few weeks, producing stellar displays against Fenerbahçe and Nice in the Champions League, and he put together another noteworthy performance on Sunday. In the 44th minute, the right back took on James, turning him right, left, and then right again before unleashing a low shot into the bottom right corner. The Benfica supporters who had made the short trip from Lisbon to Alverca would have been thrilled to see their newly signed full-back record his first goal for the club.

Dedić red and Davy Gui’s late goal give Alverca hope

Alverca may have emerged in the second half trailing by two goals, but there was a sense they could work themselves back into this game. Castro’s side had more shots in the first half and produced the better chances. They were unlucky not to go into the break with a goal.

The second half saw both teams push forward. Chiquinho and Schjelderup both had opportunities, but narrowly missed.

Lage could see his players were losing steam and opted for a triple substitution in the 65th minute, bringing on Florentino Luís, Gianluca Prestianni and Vangelis Pavlidis. Castro rolled the dice as well, bringing on Davy Gui, Francisco Chissumba, and Lincoln shortly after Lage showed his hand.

The real turning point, however, was when Dedić was deemed to have prevented a counterattack by dragging down Chiquinho in the middle of the park. It would be a second yellow for the in form defender, and would force Benfica to play out the final 20 minutes with 10 men.

In the 85th minute, Alverca were finally able to break through. Substitute Gui took advantage of an error from Otamendi. When the ball landed at him in the box, the midfielder powered a shot past Soares, giving his side life. Alverca continued to throw men forward and battled bravely for an equaliser. Unfortunately, Gui’s goal seemed to come a little too late. A 10-man Benfica was able to hold on for three vital away points, and continue to keep the pressure on Sporting CP and FC Porto.

Florentino waves goodbye to Benfica supporters at final whistle

Another noteworthy moment came at the final whistle. 26-year-old midfielder Florentino, who has been with the club’s academy since 2010, seemed to confirm that this would be his last game with the club. The talented defensive midfielder has been linked with several of Europe’s top clubs over the last four years, and with the transfer window set to end, it appears as if he has now played his last game for the Eagles.

Florentina acknowledged and waved at the thousands of Benfica supporters who made it out to the stadium, and even handed his shirt to one of the fans. He was also seen hugging manager Lage as he prepared to walk off the pitch.

FC Alverca: Matheus Mendes, Steven Baseya (Gonçalo Esteves, 82'), Sergi Gómez, Julián Martínez, Nabil Touaizi, Sabit Abdulai (Davy Gui, 69'), Alex Amorim, Isaac James (Francisco Chissumba, 69'), Cédric Nuozzi (Lincoln, 69'), Marezi, Chiquinho (Sandro Lima, 74')

SL Benfica: Samuel Soares, Amar Dedić, Nicolás Otamendi, Tomás Araújo, Samuel Dahl, Richard Ríos (Florentino Luís, 65'), Enzo Barrenechea, Fredrik Aursnes, Leandro Barreiro (António Silva 79'), Andreas Schjelderup (Gianluca Prestianni, 65'), Franjo Ivanovic (Vangelis Pavlidis, 65')

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