Match Report
| S.L. Benfica | S.L. Benfica |  |  | Rio Ave | Rio Ave | ||||||||||||||||
| Fred D Joechee | Fred D Joechee | Computer Player | Computer Player | ||||||||||||||||||
| Anton Netzer | A. Netzer |  | 68 | G |  | 1 | | G | 65 |  | Alberto Costa | A. Costa | |||||||||
| Sergio Nascimento | S. Nascimento | | 62 | D |  | 2 |  | D | 74 | | Jorge Rego | J. Rego | |||||||||
| Fernando Ruiz | F. Ruiz |  | 59 | D | | 3 | | D | 68 |  | Graham Ince | G. Ince | |||||||||
| Jaime Jesus | J. Jesus | | 57 | D | | 4 | | D | 65 | | Nuno Vieira | N. Vieira | |||||||||
| Tomas Quaresma | T. Quaresma | | 64 | D | | 5 | | D | 64 | | Abel Loureiro | A. Loureiro | |||||||||
| Martin Taylor | M. Taylor | | 61 | M | | 6 | | M | 61 |  | Bart Kantelberg | B. Kantelberg | |||||||||
| Jaime Faria | J. Faria | | 63 | M | | 7 | | M | 59 | | Joao Bento | J. Bento | |||||||||
| Dominic Hopkin | D. Hopkin |  | 62 | M | | 8 | | M | 58 | | Pedro Quaresma | P. Quaresma | |||||||||
| Alberto Neves | A. Neves | | 70 | A | | 9 | | M | 54 | | Ruben Fonseca | R. Fonseca | |||||||||
| Jaime Soares | J. Soares | | 68 | A | | 10 | | A | 62 | | Alexandre Alves | A. Alves | |||||||||
| Mario Oliveira | M. Oliveira | | 61 | A | | 11 | | A | 61 | | Ruben Martins | R. Martins | |||||||||
 today's match is sponsored by LJs |
Match Report
There is a slight drizzle in the air here at Estádio da Luz where S.L. Benfica play host to Rio Ave. A crowd of 18,958 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
S.L. Benfica are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Rio Ave appear to be shaped for 4-4-2.
S.L. Benfica are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Rio Ave appear to be shaped for 4-4-2.
0.00
0-0The first half starts with S.L. Benfica kicking off!
2.29
0-0Bart Kantelberg controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Alexandre Alves. Alexandre Alves knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
6.09
0-1Ruben Fonseca takes it forward alone. Ruben Fonseca sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
20.42
0-1Pedro Quaresma flicks the ball to his team mate, Ruben Martins. Ruben Martins shoots from outside the area but it flies wide!
22.35
Fernando Ruiz sees a break and surges forward. Fernando Ruiz sees space and advances. Fernando Ruiz shoots from 25 yards but connects badly, narrowly missing the linesman!
24.36
Jaime Faria threads the ball through to Jaime Soares. Jaime Soares whips in a cross ball towards Alberto Neves. Alberto Neves is unmarked! He powers a header at goal which easily beats the keeper. Goal!!
27.44
1-1Tomas Quaresma makes a simple pass to Jaime Faria. Jaime Faria controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Mario Oliveira. Mario Oliveira makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Jaime Soares but he's offside!
30.35
Graham Ince takes it forward alone. Graham Ince flicks the ball to his team mate, Ruben Martins. Ruben Martins passes the ball forward but Alexandre Alves is offside!
38.45
Jaime Faria passes the ball forward to Jaime Soares. Jaime Soares plays a perfect one-two with Alberto Neves and rushes in on goal... Jaime Soares shoots from just inside the box. Jaime Soares scores for S.L. Benfica!!
42.54
Bart Kantelberg threads the ball through to Ruben Martins. Ruben Martins knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Fernando Ruiz.
44.28
Tomas Quaresma deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Jaime Faria. Jaime Faria controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Mario Oliveira. Mario Oliveira shoots from 20 yards but it curls horrendously wide!
45.00
The referee blows for the end of the first half
45.00
The whistle blows and Rio Ave get the second half underway!
47.53
2-1Fernando Ruiz chips the ball to his team mate, Martin Taylor. Martin Taylor knocks the ball forward to Mario Oliveira. Mario Oliveira sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but somehow Alberto Costa manages to keep it out.
53.38
Jaime Faria knocks the ball forward to Jaime Soares. Jaime Soares shoots from distance but he balloons it over the crossbar!
54.37
Jorge Rego chips the ball to his team mate, Pedro Quaresma. Pedro Quaresma passes the ball forward to Alexandre Alves. Alexandre Alves lofts in a cross ball towards Ruben Martins. Ruben Martins heads the ball goalwards but it is miles over!
59.50
Joao Bento threads the ball through to Alexandre Alves. Alexandre Alves shoots from outside the area. Anton Netzer easily smothers it.
60.15
2-1Rio Ave are keeping most of the possession at the moment but are so far unable to make the most of it.
61.25
Jaime Faria knocks the ball forward to Jaime Soares. Jaime Soares kicks a strong pass forward to Alberto Neves but the referee indicates it's offside!
65.51
Nuno Vieira makes a probing pass to Pedro Quaresma. Pedro Quaresma passes the ball forward to Alexandre Alves. Alexandre Alves knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Anton Netzer who gathers it comfortably.
66.17
Sergio Nascimento makes a probing pass to Dominic Hopkin. Dominic Hopkin knocks the ball forward to Alberto Neves. Alberto Neves plays a perfect one-two with Mario Oliveira and rushes in on goal... Alberto Neves cuts inside the defence and shoots at goal. It curls slightly but Alberto Costa manages to gather it comfortably.
67.02
Dominic Hopkin threads the ball through to Mario Oliveira. Mario Oliveira flicks the ball to his team mate, Alberto Neves. Alberto Neves rockets a shot on goal. It's in!! A beautiful goal for Alberto Neves!
77.57
Martin Taylor decides to run forward with the ball. Martin Taylor lofts in a cross ball towards Alberto Neves. Alberto Neves directs the ball goalwards with his head. It's there!! Alberto Costa has to pick the ball from the back of the net!
84.08
4-1Graham Ince clumsily knocks into Jaime Soares. The referee calls over Graham Ince and warns him to calm down! Jaime Soares runs off the knock.
87.47
Jaime Faria passes the ball forward to Alberto Neves. Alberto Neves makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Jaime Soares but he's offside!
90.00
Rio Ave are keeping most of the possession at the moment but are so far unable to make the most of it.
90.00
Full-time is reached with the referee blowing his whistle!
Match Statistics
Goals
4
1
Shots on Target
6
2
Shots off Target
3
2
Offsides
4
1
Fouls
0
1
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
57.1%
42.9%
Play Area
25%
46.4%
28.6%
Scorers
| Alberto Neves 24, 67, 78 Jaime Soares 38 | Ruben Fonseca 6 |