THE Benfica was to draw (2-2) against Famalicão, in the match of the 32nd round of the I League, taking a false step in the fight for second place, by giving hope back to Sporting, who will be able to match the “eagles”, needing to overcome the disadvantage in the direct confrontation.
In a stadium where they were forced to emulate the triumphs of rivals Sporting and FC Porto, Benfica easily built a two-goal lead. Then, they were left to claim a second penalty and a couple of goals missed by Ivanovic in the first half, before being reduced to 10 after the 53rd minute.
From then on, Famalicão rose to prominence and reached a draw, adding an insufficient point to avoid being dependent on third parties in the fight for Europe.
In Famalicão second and fifth places were played, with the Famalicenses trying to hold off a potential attack from Gil Vicente while maintaining Sp. Braga’s fourth place as the ultimate goal on the horizon.
In charge of Benfica was the same Famalicão who drew at Dragão (2-2), a month ago, and at Braga (2-2), two weeks ago. And they haven’t lost since the trip to Alvalade (1-0), 10 days ago.
Hence the importance of an imposing entry from Benfica, which after 20 minutes was already ahead with goals from Schjelderup (penalty) and Richard Ríos, thanks to the Norwegian’s pass.
A result that at half-time was even nice for the Minho team, who never put Trubin to the test.
And, had it not been for a saving intervention by Justin de Haas (21′), just two minutes after the 0-2, and a penalty kick forgiven for handball to Rodrigo Pinheiro (31′), Benfica would have decided the match in the first half.
From Haas taking the goal from Ivanovic??#sporttvportugal #LIGAnaSPORTTV #ligaportugalbetclic #famalicao #slbenfica pic.twitter.com/fCxjElLsXd
— sport tv (@sporttvportugal) May 2, 2026
José Mourinho he entrusted the right corridor to Dedic and bet again on Ivanovic, making a perfect bet on the striker.
To have been perfect, the Croatian, who won the penalty by anticipating Léo Realpe, only needed to have taken advantage of one of the two blatant opportunities created to make it 0-3 for the “Reds”.
Even so, Benfica was always on top of its opponent, taking advantage of Schjelderup’s inspiration to create the imbalances that exposed the home team.
Otamendi shuffles
Benfica was unable to resolve the issue in a timely manner and ended up discovering in the most painful way the harm caused by ineffectiveness. This is because from the 53rd minute onwards the game changed drastically for the “eagles”.
Otamendi He was sent off following a violent tackle and Mourinho had to improvise a central position. The entry of Enzo Barrenechea and the sacrifice of Prestianni was the possible solution. Bah went into play, with Leandro Barreiro closing on the left before Rafa entered to look for a transition.
But, with numerical superiority, Famalicão pressed immediately and were on the verge of reducing moments later with a header from Gustavo Sá. With Benfica under a lot of pressure, Mathias de Amorim was more competent when reducing the score (67′), imitating Schjelderup when he set up Bubakar for the equalizing goal (78′).
Until the end, in a game with 15 minutes of added time (justified by technical problems in the referee team’s communication), Famalicão still sent a ball to the woodwork. Rodrigo Pinheiro was on the verge of repeating Dragão’s feat, but Benfica had better luck than the Porto fans, although they lost Otamendi and Ríos to host Sp. Braga.
