League

Estadio Almancil
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Benfica's Francisco Sarmento started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. When Adalberto Leme fell near the penalty area in the 5th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Palaios FC's protests and gave Adalberto Leme a yellow card for diving instead. Adalberto Leme kicked well hit freekick during the 6th minute of the match. Noel Matias fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Manuel Leiria having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Palaios FC's zone, Filipe Mendes stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Eurico Figueiras came out of the goal and Filipe Mendes tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Rúben Miranda sent away a hard shot on goal in the 28th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The supporters of Benfica booed when Palaios FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 35 match minutes in a wonderful position. Adolfo Álvares didn't get a good kick on the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Isidoro Roriz during the 37th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 37th match minute, Palaios FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Isidoro Roriz to maneuver through the defense. Eurico Figueiras was a little too slow when Francisco Sarmento got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 39th minute. The score was now 1-0. Rúben Miranda struck a weak shot in the 46th minute. Manuel Leiria didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Palaios FC. Rúben Miranda sent away a hard shot on goal in the 48th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Noel Matias stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Palaios FC's Noel Matias got a good chance for a goal in the 54th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 66th match minute, Benfica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Olívio Torcato to maneuver through the defense. After 68 minutes of play, Palaios FC's Rúben Miranda made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Manuel Leiria was left in no man's land by his defense there! After 73 minutes, Adolfo Álvares mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Palaios FC and the Benfica players grew even worse after the yellow card. Eurico Figueiras took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Filipe Mendes, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 76th minute Filipe Mendes shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Eurico Figueiras saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Noel Matias in the 78th minute of play forced Benfica's goalkeeper Manuel Leiria to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Palaios FC's zone, Francisco Sarmento stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Eurico Figueiras came out of the goal and Francisco Sarmento tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Noel Matias in the 85th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Manuel Leiria prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Manuel Leiria took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Noel Matias, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Olívio Torcato hit a great freekick 89 minutes into the match. Manuel Leiria showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Noel Matias, who was totally free with the ball in the 91st minute. In a very dangerous position, a player in Benfica fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 93rd minute. Penalty! Palaios FC's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.