Benfica edge thriller, Sporting slip further behind | OneFootball

Benfica’s women’s team secured another important victory, against Braga (3-2). The red squad, led by Ivan Baptista, was back in action after another international break for national teams. The Eagles and the Minhotas took to the field for the 7th round of the Liga BPI.

It should be recalled that, in the pre-match press conference, the coach of the Inspiradoras voiced some criticism about his team’s tight schedule, exclaiming that there is no kind of squad management. In this morning’s match at Benfica Campus, he fielded the following starting eleven: Lena Pauels, Catarina Amado, Christy Ucheibe, Diana Gomes, Marit Lund, Pauleta, Anna Gasper, Caroline Møller, Chandra Davidson, Lúcia Alves, and Nycole Raysla.

Facing a tough opponent, but one that is having a start to the season far below its usual standards, Benfica’s team found it difficult to impose their game and the goalless score at halftime reflected a first half in which both teams managed to neutralize each other.

In the second half, the Inspiradoras came out more determined to find the goal, and it happened right in the 51st minute, with a finish from Nycole Raysla. However, Braga did not give up and Ana Rute, in the 62nd minute, beat Lena Pauels and leveled the score. In the 76th minute, Chandra Davidson broke the tie and put the Eagles in the lead (2-1). Near the end, Braga equalized again. In a thrilling finish, Rakel Engesvik made it 3-2 for the Glorioso.

After a draw in the opening match of the Liga BPI, Benfica almost dropped points again, this time in the seventh round of the championship. With three more points added, the Inspiradoras remain at the top of the table, with 19 points, and increase their lead over Sporting, who are in second place.

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