5-1: Benfica beats Vitoria and increases its lead

Benfica once again showed its offensive football and defeated Vitoria de Guimarães 5-1 on Saturday, which was a new step for the Lisbon team on its way to the Portuguese League title.

Benfica, leader of the competition, faced the game on high alert and not forgetting that Vitoria, fifth in the table, was the first team to steal points from them in the season.

But the Eagles had no intention of repeating that goalless draw in October and scored immediately, when usual suspect Gonçalo Ramos opened the scoring on 13 minutes.

Things got more complicated for those from the northern city of Guimaraes in the 29th minute, after a foul in the box allowed Joao Mario to score the second from a penalty.

Benfica’s comfortable advantage did not slow the team down, as they returned to the fast, offensive and aggressive game preferred by German coach Roger Schmidt.

At 36, he achieved the third with a perfect example of the style that in Portugal is affectionately known as ‘Rogerball’.

With a nimble move from their own half, with the ball rolling between different players, Benfica attacked Vitoria’s area, where Ramos helped Joao Mario to slot the ball into the back. of the net with a good shot.

With the double, Mario now has 17 goals in the League and tops the list of top scorers in the competition.

The ‘incarnated’ team dropped the intensity in the second half, but nevertheless, in the 70th minute, the fourth goal arrived, again with a quick start and a cross from Joao Mario that bounced off Vitoria midfielder Dani Silva and went in at the goal. .

The ‘vimaranenses’, despite the massive result, did not throw in the towel and went down to 79 through André Silva. Before the final whistle, the leader had time for another, in the 89th minute, through young centre-back Antonio Silva.

The victory leaves Benfica with 68 points, 11 more than second-placed Porto, who tomorrow, Sunday, face third-placed Braga.