Benfica perfect run continues in win over Pacos

Benfica continued their perfect run in the Portuguese league season with their victory over Pacos Ferreira and have yet to drop points away from home at a perfect 9-0-0. The starting eleven saw a change by Bruno Lage with Rafa Silva taking over for Chiquinho in the secondary striker role behind Carlos Vinicius. The change would work to perfection with Rafa looking more dangerous in the opening 30 minutes then Chiquinho has in the last ten games. Benfica thought the had opened the scoring just twenty minutes into the game when Pizzi would tap in a Carlos Vinicius cross but VAR incorrectly called Vinicius offside and the game remained scoreless until a perfect pass by central defender Ruben Dias found Rafa Silva who would score his third goal since returning from injury at the 38th minute mark. Pizzi almost doubled the lead before the half but Pacos keeper Ricardo made a spectacular stop to keep the game within one. Carlos Vinicius though would double the lead just two minutes into the second half tapping in a Rafa Silva low cross into the box. The teams would not score again as Benfica open the second half of the season with a victory to open up a ten point lead atop Portugal with second place Porto yet to play their Week 18 game. Benfica will next host Belenenses at the Estadio da Luz in Week 19 action.