Monday, February 24, 2020

Benfica snap winless skid to regain top spot

Benfica Blog
Benfica finally snap a four game winless skid across all competitions dating back to February 4ths Taca de Portugal semi-final game with a narrow 1-0 victory over Gil Vicente in Week 22 action. The victory moves Benfica back into top spot leaping over FC Porto and remaining one point ahead of their nearest and only rival to the title this season. Benfica got an early goal from Carlos Vinicius who headed home a Taarabt cross for his league leading 15th goal of the season at the 15 minute mark. The lead was almost surrendered two minutes later but Gil Vicente's Baraye missed a golden opportunity to equalize. Gil Vicente was the lively of the two clubs for most of the middle part of the half and if not for some stellar goalkeeping by Vlachodimos Benfica's lead would have vanished. Carlos Vinicius would then score his second of the game but his goal would not stand and was called back offside at the 35th minute. Then just before the half Vinicius' out reached leg would not get to the low cross placed across the crease by defender Ruben Dias and Benfica went into the half with a 1-0 lead. Benfica's Taarabt almost doubled the clubs lead at the 66th minute mark but his left footed shot would clang off the crossbar and out. Vlachodimos would come up with one more big save when he stopped a close range shot by Hugo Vieira at the 73rd minute, Gil Vicente's last real threat of the game as Benfica held firm for the 1-0 victory. Benfica will now turn their attention to Thursdays second leg Europa League encounter against Shakthar Donetsk at home as the club looks to overturn a 2-1 first leg loss.

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