Derby that makes Portuguese football passionate in a Luz stadium with more than 60 thousand spectators and a lot of talent on the pitch. Enough ingredients for a passionate game, with a lot of nerves on the surface. An anxiety that seems to have been felt with greater incidence in Benfica. Sporting entered with greater serenity, calm, efficient in occupying spaces, limiting the red midfield and creating very early, after 6 minutes, the first goal opportunity, by Pedro Porro. The right winger, taking a free-kick, forced Vlachodimos to fly.
The first signal was given and Benfica felt the blow. It took some time to stabilize and only managed to do so in the 20th minute. In double dose. First by João Mário and then by Rafa, who appeared with space in the leonine area and forced Adán to make tight defenses, who, until then, had been a mere spectator. These two moves, however, awakened the eagle. However, there was no time to continue the positive moment, as Trincão would put Sporting ahead after an excellent understanding on the right corridor between Porro and Edwards. The Englishman, with a perfect cross into the area, offered the goal to the Portuguese striker who froze Luz. Only 27 minutes had elapsed and the lions consummated the greatest dominance in goal.
But there was a lot of time to go and Benfica had time to react. And it grew until the end of the first part. First, after a free-kick by Grimaldo, which forced a tight defense by Adán and in the 37th minute, that offensive audacity was rewarded with the equalizer. Very similar to the lion’s goal. But with other protagonists. With Rafa watching on the line for Gonçalo Ramos to divert for the tie.
All equal (and balanced…) at halftime. Even in the design of the goals. The answer was awaited in the second part. And she did. To the lions again. An offensive move designed by Trincao, assists Paulinho and António Silva brings down the striker. Artur Soares Dias was called to VAR and confirmed the penalty for the lions at 53′ that Pedro Gonçalves would convert. Lions again in front and a promising start to the second half.
But, as in the first part, the incarnates reacted. With goal! Again with Gonçalo Ramos, this time after a cross from Grimaldo, finishing. The Portuguese international shining and confirming a season in full at an individual level. All even. Once again. Emotion for the final minutes. And with the debut of young Chermiti, just 18 years old, launched by Rúben Amorim to replace Paulinho. And from then on, despite the greater dominance of the Incarnate, which was threatening the lions’ goal more and more, little else was seen. A few free-kicks from Grimaldo put the lions on their toes, a huge João Mário filling the field, a lethal Gonçalo Ramos. On Sporting’s side, note for Trincao’s class, Ugarte’s combativeness and Adán’s security. For history is a draw in a match that had uncertainty until the last breath.
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