Benfica loanee scores twice and helps beat AVS (3-0) | OneFootball

Gil Vicente returned to winning ways in the league this Friday, April 3, ending a run of five games without a victory by beating AVS 3-0 in the opening match of the 28th round. Gustavo Varela, the striker on loan from Benfica, stood out and scored a brace.

The game started intensely, and just 11 minutes were enough for Gil Vicente to open the scoring. Luís Esteves crossed from the right into the box, where the under-20 international striker brought it down on his chest and fired home powerfully, leaving the opposing goalkeeper with no chance.

Still in the first half, Murilo Souza had the chance to extend the lead, but only found the net after a save from Adriel and a scrappy passage of play, taking advantage of a deflection off Aderllan Santos to score the second goal. Gustavo Varela shone again in the second half, completing his brace and making it 3-0.

With this win, Gil Vicente climbed to fifth place with 45 points, just one point behind fourth-placed Braga, keeping the pressure on the Minho side in the race for European spots. Meanwhile, AVS remain bottom of the table with just 11 points.

This season, wearing the Gil Vicente shirt, Gustavo Varela - valued at €2 million - has made 27 appearances: 26 in Liga Portugal Betclic and one in the Portuguese Cup. In 1,254 minutes on the pitch, the centre-forward has scored seven goals and provided two assists.

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