22 December 2006, by Marco Pereira

Clinical Benfica thump Belenenses

Benfica 4-0 Belenenses

Benfica gave themselves an early Christmas present as they swept past Belenenses in their game in hand from the first round to move to within three points of Sporting.

Simao, Karagounis, Kikin and Katsouranis added another home thrashing to their fans’ Christmas stockings.

Full credit must be given to Belenenses who never gave up throughout a remarkable game in which they had more shots than their hosts despite the lopsided loss. The match proved the old football adage that it is not how many chances you create, but what you do with them that counts.

The game started off at a good pace with both teams looking for the early goal. Benfica were utilizing the flanks well in the hope of a cross finding either Nuno Gomes or Kikin, while the visitors were causing problems for the home defence with their quick counter-attacks.

In the 19th minute came the game’s first goal as Benfica captain Simao converted a penalty for his 6th goal of the season after Gaspar had handled inside the box. Belenenses stormed back and three minutes later were almost level as Eliseu fed Ze Pedro who fired a shot just over the net.

Belenenses then created another chance as Nivaldo beat Quim to a Silas free kick, but could not direct his effort on target. At the other end of the pitch Nuno Assis was the provider for two opportunities in the space of two minutes. His first pass found Kikin, who shot wide then Karagounis produced a poor strike when well placed.

Just before the break Benfica got a vital goal as a Karagounis free kick deflected off the wall and wrong-footed Costinha.

Quim brilliance

After the restart the visitors were determined not to drop their heads and looked to reduce the deficit straight away. From a corner Sandro Gaucho pounced on a loose ball in the 6-yard box but Quim produced a brilliant save for a corner.

After failing to punish the home side Benfica went up the field and got their third goal in the 52nd minute as Kikin got his first goal of the season as he headed the ball into the net after a fine Nuno Gomes knock-down.

Still Belenenses refused to lie down, and Dady almost got his side on the scoreboard as his header was tipped over the bar in spectacular fashion by Quim. Dady then had another effort on goal, and this time Quim had a bit of luck as he managed to make contact with his right leg from the striker’s shot and watched it bounce back off the left post.

Four minutes later Belenenses’ influential midfielder Ze Pedro saw his free kick scream past Quim’s right post. Quim was called upon to make another save from Dady from point-blank range in the 72nd minute as Benfica’s defence somehow remained intact despite conceding oceans of space close to the net.

As had happened all game, Benfica made good on another opportunity as Katsouranis got his 5th goal of the season when his header from a Simao free kick looped over Costinha in the 78th minute.

Benfica’s record in the Estadio da Luz makes impressive reading, with 7 wins out of 7 and 20 goals scored, and Fernando Santos will be looking to get his team firing on all cylinders away from home in the second half of the season to mount a serious title challenge.

Fernando Santos, Benfica coach:

“We’re taking it game by game. We will try to win our games and, in the end, add up our tallies. We will not worry about the points we are behind because that won’t get us anywhere.”

“It was a just victory, but we have done better. Belenenses had periods where they were on top of the game. 4-2 would have been more just. We took advantage of all our opportunities and 4-0 results from the brilliance of Quim, who made 3 or 4 very good saves.”

Jorge Jesus, Belenenses coach:

“When a team loses 4-0 there is no margin to discuss the justice of the result, but the best player on the pitch was Quim. Belenenses were the better team in the first half.”

“In the second half Quim was brilliant, but Belenenses could be here until tomorrow and would not have scored a goal. The result does not reflect what went on during the game.”

Benfica:
Quim, Nelson, Luisao, Ricardo Rocha, Leo, Karagounis (Beto, 70), Katsouranis, Nuno Assis, Kikin Fonseca (Manu, 80), Nuno Gomes, Simao (Joao Coimbra, 85)

Belenenses:
Costinha, Gaspar (Roma, 65), Rolando, Nivaldo, Rodrigo Alvim, Sandro Gaucho, Ruben Amorim, Eliseu, Ze Pedro, Dady (Sousa, 87), Silas (Pinheiro, 88)
Yellow Cards: Gaspar (18), Eliseu (73)

Goals:
[1-0] Simao, 19 (pen)
[2-0] Karagounis, (43)
[3-0] Kikin Fonseca, (52)
[4-0] Katsouranis, (78)