Much of the pre-talk about Häcken’s match against Benfica was about Stina Blackstenius. She fought against the clock, but was not in tonight’s match squad. In the absence of the national team striker, Häcken chose to play Stine Larsen as the sole central forward.
The match started with the worst possible start for Häcken. Francisca Nazareth pushed a distance shot that Jennifer Falk managed with difficulty in the Häcken goal. In the ensuing corner, it became an extremely tangled situation that led to an away goal. Cloe Lacasse was last on the ball and 0-1 was a fact.
Häcken had their periods in the first half. The home team often tried to threaten in depth. Rytting Kaneryd, who was part of Peter Gerhardsson’s national team squad yesterday, was close to running through on several occasions. Julia Karlernäs also had a header after a free kick that was just inches from the post. 0-1, however, was the score at halftime.
The hedge tore for an equalizer in the second half. However, the nightmare start of the first half was close to repeating itself immediately after the break. Benfica captain Pauleta had a nod that Falk saved by the smallest possible margin.
With just over a quarter left, Häcken was awarded a penalty kick after a hand on Christy Ucheibe. Elin Rubensson scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot a week ago between the teams. Tonight she was as safe as she was seven days ago.
The match then looked to end 1-1, but in extra time the Benfica player appeared Catarina Amado appeared on cue near the post, and steered it past the goalie. A nightmare ending for Häcken who could not get up.
The hurdle now remains at three points, while Benfica steps over and goes up to four points. Thus, Häcken is last in the group. Later tonight, Lyon and Bayern Munich meet.
Startelvor:
the hedge: Falk – Wijk, Nörgaard Gevitz, Kollmats, Ökvist – Rubensson, Curmark – Rytting Kaneryd, Karlernäs, Gejl Jensen – Larsen.
Benfica: Leticia – Amado, Seica, Costa, Alves – Ucheibe, Pauleta, Vitoria – Cantuario, Nazareth, Lacasse.
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