Benfica scores 4-1 at Rio Ave in the 17th round and remains in the hunt for league leaders Sporting Lisboa
Benfica beat Rio Ave 4-1 this Sunday (14th), in a match valid for the 17th round of the Portuguese Championship, the last of the first round. It is worth mentioning that the Eagles lost at home, with a goal from Guga. However, the Lisbon team turned the game around with goals from Di Maria, Antonio Silva, Brazilian Marcos Leonardo and João Mário. The former Santos striker, in fact, made his debut in the match.
With this result, Benfica is in second place, with 42 points, one behind Sporting Lisboa, who were already playing in the group.
Despite playing away from home and being technically weaker, Rio Ave started much better. After all, in the 8th minute, Fábio Ronaldo invaded the area well and shot just enough to allow midfielder and captain Guga to open the scoring. The home team then began to manage the victory, relying more on Benfica’s counterattacks and passing errors.
In the 24th minute, for example, Ghanaian striker Emanuel Boateng headed the ball very dangerously, requiring a great save from Trubin. Four minutes later the substitution came, after all Rafa Silva took flight and served just enough to allow the Argentine Di Maria to equalise.
Benfica turns around and Marcos Leonardo scores on his debut
Despite conceding a goal, Rio Ave did not let themselves be intimidated and hit the post twice in the 5th minute of the second half. The shots, in fact, came from the feet of Boateng and João Graça, but the team was punished again. At 4, Brazilian defender Aderlan received a yellow card and was disqualified from the next match. Nine minutes later he was sent off, calling Benfica to attack.
In the 15th minute, Di Maria takes a dangerous free kick and practically in the next move, Benfica definitively turns the tables, with Antonio Silva. Then, Rio Ave heard the shot. There was therefore still time for debutant Marcos Leonardo to score with a header. It is worth remembering that he is Brazilian, ex Santos and is 20 years old. In injury time, João Mário gave the final numbers: 4 to 1.
Upcoming events
Benfica will be back in action next Friday (19th), when they host Boavista, at 5.15pm (Brasilia time). The Reds will host Estoril on the 24th of this month. It is worth remembering, however, that this duel is for the semi-final of the League Cup. Rio Ave, in turn, will visit Chaves next Sunday (21st).
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Source: Terra
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