Hockey Champions: Barcelona set up FC Porto clash after beating Benfica | OneFootball

Barcelona knocked Benfica out of the Champions League in roller hockey and will face FC Porto in Sunday’s final, after Porto beat Óquei de Barcelos in the other semi-final.

Barcelona’s goals were scored by Ignacio Alabart (4' and 43'), Marc Grau (33') and Ferran Font (34'), while Benfica’s goals came from João Rodrigues (4' and 36') and Pau Bargalló (48').

At the Mário Mexia Multi-Sports Pavilion, Benfica started the match strongly, but it was Barcelona who opened the scoring after four minutes, through Ignacio Alabart, who appeared from behind the opposing goal and fired a low shot inside the post.

Benfica’s response was immediate, and the equaliser came in the same minute through João Rodrigues, after an assist from Nil Roca, in a play that was still reviewed by the video referee.

In the second half, Barcelona started faster, levelled the game and took advantage of their opponent’s weaknesses to go ahead through Marc Grau in the 33rd minute, after a fine assist from Ferran Font, who, a minute later, with a cross-shot, increased the lead to 3-1.

The Portuguese side still pulled one back through João Rodrigues, who converted a penalty in the 36th minute after Viti was hit on the hand.

In the 43rd minute, from a direct free hit awarded for Benfica’s 10 fouls, Ignacio Alabart grabbed his second of the match with an excellent technical finish.

Driven on by the crowd, Benfica pulled one back again to make it 4-3 through Pau Bargalló in the 48th minute, at a time when Barcelona were down to fewer players because of the blue card shown to Ferran Font, but they were unable to find an equaliser.

The final between Barcelona and FC Porto is scheduled for 6:00 pm on Sunday.

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