Gonçalo Moreira stood out with two goals and an assist
The fight for first place in the Junior champion qualification phase is alive and well. Benfica received and thrashed leaders SC Braga 4-1, now being three points away from the lead.
Gonçalo Moreira was the main highlight of the Reds’ side with two goals and an assist in the first half. After just four minutes, a combination inside the penalty area with Olívio Tomé and a right-footed arcing shot into the corner.
The 2-0 was a dead ball after 20 minutes. Corner to the left for André Gomes who put the ball over Gonçalo Oliveira’s head and into the back of the net.
Benfica didn’t take their foot off the accelerator and in the 32nd minute the third goal arrived. Gonçalo Moreira discovered Tiago Freitas, who received the ball in a privileged area and with great technical detail took an opponent out of the way before touching the goal.
Everything was very simple and it was even possible to reach the rout before the break. In the 34th minute, Guilherme Peixoto was fouled in a prohibited zone and Gonçalo Moreira scored twice from the penalty spot.
SC Braga’s reaction was right before the rest time. In the 43rd minute, Furtado shot with his left foot, scoring a goal from the spearhead.
The Minho team could have restarted the game for the second half, but the ones who were always closest to the goal were Benfica, with Olívio Tomé testing Znuderl’s reflexes in the 82nd minute. Shortly afterwards, the Reds were reduced to ten players due to the expulsion of Tiago Pinto after a stomp on Luís Fernandes, but with no impact on the final result.
Luís Araújo’s team reignites the fight for the title with four rounds to go. This Friday, Sporting – FC Porto will also play at 4pm. At that time, Académico hosts V. Guimarães and Farense visits Famalicão.
