The top of the table clash certianly lived up to its billing as Benfica scored twice in stoppage time to defeat Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica pulled through with both goals coming in the stoppage time, scored by academy graduate Joao Neves and Casper Tengstedt.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the first half Benfica were unlucky to not have scored at least a couple of goals, with Rafa Silva striking the crossbar in the opening sequences. Silva was involved in most of the chances created in the first half. At the 45th minute mark, against the run of play, Victor Gyokeres linked up with Marcus Edwards on the right wing to thunder a first time shot into Anatoliy Trubin’s net.
Embed from Getty ImagesBefore the Leoes could solidify their lead, in the 50th minute, Goncalo Inacio’s rash decision to clip Rafa Silva lead up to his second yellow card and a sending off. From there on it was one-way traffic with Benfica piling on pressure and growing more desperate as the game went on.
Roger Schmidt threw Artur Cabral and Tengstedt on as a final throw of dice. It wasn’t until the 93rd minute that Joao Neves equalized. In the 97th minute, with practically the last kick of the game Casper Tengstedt tapped in to put the Eagles ahead.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe celebrations at da Luz indicated the unity within this Benfica side. O Derbi bragging rights rest with the red half of the city for now.
