There is an advantage in the Portuguese Cup semi-final. Benfica hosted Sporting, at Seixal, in the first leg of the tie and won 1-0.
In a Benfica Campus full of fans on an Easter Sunday, it was the home team that came into the match better. With great defensive pressure in the first phase of the Lionesses’ game build-up, Benfica had the first great opportunity of the duel, within the opening ten minutes, with Kika Nazareth forcing Hannah Seabert into a good intervention.
Olivia Smith was appearing and, shortly after, almost took advantage of a mistake by Christy Ucheibe, but shot wide of the goal of Lena Pauels – Benfica’s goalkeeper who, once again, was in great form.
After the first half hour of play, the goal was undone. Following a corner kick, Carole Costa appeared at the near post to shoot low and opened the scoring with what would become the only goal of the match.
Hard to chew
The second half proved fateful in terms of injuries. Three big losses for Sporting and one for Benfica.
After trying to cut the ball from Kika Nazareth, Andreia Bravo ended up splitting and leaving the pitch with many complaints and tears on her face. Soon after, it was Olivia Smith who left the scene feeling weak, after holding on to her knee.
In the next move, Catarina Amado, fighting for the ball with Ana Capeta, was injured. These three substitutions that Filipa Patão and Mariana Cabral were forced to resort to demonstrate what the game showed after the break: foul play, somewhat aggressive and with few dangerous attempts on goal.
Ten minutes before the end of the match, Mariana Rosa was left with blood in her face, after a play with Jéssica Silva and had to leave the pitch with her head completely tied up.
Until the end, Benfica retreated on the field of play, while Sporting tried everything they could to reach a draw, but failed. A offside line of the eagles was well set up and did not allow any major advances until the last whistle.
The final decision goes to Alcochete. The teams will meet again on April 21st, in the second leg. Here, one of the Portuguese Cup finalists will be decided. The other will be Racing Power or SC Braga, with the Seixal team having the advantage.
