Benfica beat Sporting de Braga 0-1 on Sunday, with a goal from Casper Tengstedt in the early moments of the match and became provisional leaders of the Portuguese Primeira Liga pending the result of Monday’s classic between Sporting and Porto.
The first of two classics on this 14th matchday didn’t last long with the score at zero, as Benfica opened it in the third minute.
A loss punishes Braga
The ‘eagles’ took advantage of the Uruguayan’s loss of the ball Rodrigo Zalazar and, in a supersonic move, they left Tengstedt isolated in front of Braga’s goalkeeper, Matheus, to score the only goal of the game.
On the local team’s side, Alvaro Djaló is the most dissatisfied with early absence. The ultimate Spanish had Braga’s best chance, among them was a cannon shot that sent Benfica’s goalkeeper, the Ukrainian Trubin, flying.
For its part, Benfica was surgical and created dangerous situations whenever it got close to the opposing goal.
Di María and Otamendi, in the posts
The closest to scoring in the first half was the Argentine Angel Di Maria, but his arched shot It crashed into the crossbar.
‘Fideo’ stood up again with a free kick that almost led to his countryman’s goal. Nicolás Otamendi. The Braga goalkeeper stopped Rosario’s powerful shot, but the ball bounced off Otamendi and hit the post.
Zalazar, who was involved in Benfica’s goal and was substituted due to a tactical decision after half an hour of play, did not have such a happy night.
The match continued with Sporting de Braga at full throttle, putting Benfica on the ropes, barely leaving their field.
The leading scorer in the Portuguese League, Congolese Simon Banza threatened Trubin after a good combination with Djaló and in extra time he was very close to the tie, which did not come thanks to a wonderful save by the Ukrainian with his foot.
Abel Ruiz came in but it wasn’t enough
As the match drew to a close, Braga put all its efforts into action and brought in players like Valencian Abel Ruiz and the Portuguese Rony Lopes, but it was not enough to prevent Benfica from returning to Lisbon with three points.
The ‘eagles’ now lead the Portuguese league with 33 points, two more than Sporting and Porto, which ended matchday number 14 this Monday. Braga, meanwhile, remains fourth, with 29.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
