Benfica secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over hosts Estrela Amadora on Sunday evening at the José Gomes Stadium in the eleventh round of the Portuguese League. Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis sealed the win for the visitors with a goal in the 90+4th minute, after a 2-2 draw had seemed the most likely outcome.
Argentine Gianluca Prestianni opened the scoring for Benfica in the 26th minute with a shot from inside the box, following a pass from Claudio Echeverri. Estrela Amadora equalised in the 48th minute through Croatian Lovro Zvonarek, after a cross from Rafa Soares. Benfica regained the lead in the 68th minute when Bernardo Schappo turned Rafa Silva’s cross into his own net. Leandro Antonetti equalised for the hosts in the 76th minute with a header from a free-kick delivered by Juan Jordán. Just before the end of stoppage time, Andreas Schjelderup delivered a curling cross from the left, which Pavlidis converted first-time into the net.
Benfica dominated possession with 62%, had 15 shots to Estrela Amadora’s 7, and won 10 corners to the hosts’ 1, according to match data. Nevertheless, the team needed a late goal to secure the three points.
What the win means for Benfica in the league race
Benfica moved up to 28 points in second place, reducing the gap with leaders Porto to five points, and moving four points ahead of third-placed Sporting Lisbon. The team, led by coach Marco Silva, continues its winning streak in the league, achieving its eighth consecutive victory in the competition. Meanwhile, Estrela Amadora suffered their third consecutive league defeat, remaining on 10 points in twelfth place.
The match saw Estrela Amadora defender Bernardo Schappo leave injured in the 85th minute, minutes after scoring the own goal, at a time when the hosts had already used all their defensive substitutions. Benfica are scheduled to return to action on 22 November to face Torreense in the fourth round of the Portuguese Cup.
InfoSport numbers
- 8 consecutive wins for Benfica in the Portuguese League after this victory.
- 5-point gap between Benfica (28) and leaders Porto (33).
- Pavlidis’s decisive goal came in the 90+4th minute, after 5 minutes of stoppage time.
