League Play-Off

Cruzeiro
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) If Cristóvão Azevedo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. SC Benespera's Pedro Leão played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristóvão Azevedo in the 8th minute of play. The supporters of Cruzeiro booed when SC Benespera was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 10 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jorge Gomes didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 14th minute Manuel Moreira shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Carlos Simões saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Jorge Moura hit a great freekick 18 minutes into the match. Cruzeiro's Carlos Simões played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Manuel Moreira in the 24th minute of play. Carlos Martins sent away a hard shot on goal in the 27th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 29th minute the ball was on its way in behind SC Benespera's goalkeeper Pedro Leão, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. A collision led to SC Benespera getting a freekick after 30 minutes play. Jorge Gomes hit a great ball. When Cruzeiro's Cristóvão Azevedo in the 32nd minute got a chance for a shot 32nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye SC Benespera's goalie prevented a goal. Pedro Leão stood somewhat misplaced when Cristóvão Azevedo came free in front of goal and shot 1-0 to the left of him in the 42 minute. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

In the 52nd minute the ball was on its way in behind SC Benespera's goalkeeper Pedro Leão, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. If Carlos Martins had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 53rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Pedro Leão took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Carlos Martins, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Carlos Martins received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 60th minute. Pedro Leão tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 63 minutes in the game, Raul Henriques fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Carlos Simões having to interfere. If Cristóvão Azevedo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 69th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 73 minutes into the game, Bernardo Sá was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Cruzeiro's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave SC Benespera the free kick. Through an outstanding action, after 76 minutes, Carlos Simões successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. In the 78th minute Raul Henriques shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Carlos Simões saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpected shot in the 83rd minute by Manuel Moreira got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. In the 84th match minute, Cruzeiro was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Heitor Brito to maneuver through the defense. Raul Henriques sent away a hard shot on goal in the 88th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Manuel Pacheco hit a great freekick 89 minutes into the match. After a rather tough play, Cruzeiro's Afonso Alves got a free kick in the 92nd minute. Carlos Simões showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Raul Henriques, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. There were very few away supporters still in the ground by the end of the match. Most of them had left early, disgusted by the way their team had been torn apart. Cruzeiro fully deserved thier win.