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Maritimo hold shaky Benfica

Maritimo 1-1 Benfica

It appears that the more things change, the more they stay the same. After Jose Antonio Camacho sensationally quit as Benfica’s head coach a week ago, the team has yet to improve as the Eagles drew 1-1 away to Maritimo.

A first half Cardozo goal was cancelled out in the second half by young upstart Ytalo to ensure the islanders got something out of the match.

The Lisbon club’s grasp on second place fell further into jeopardy with the draw and they are now tied with Vitoria Guimaraes on 41 points, but Benfica hold the edge over their Liga rivals as they have the better head-to-head record.

The home side enjoyed a good start to the game, pushing their guests into their own half of the field for the first quarter of the match. The home side’s efforts almost paid off in the 24th minute when Marcinho picked up a rebound inside the Benfica box, but shot straight at Quim, who made a fine stop to keep the game scoreless.

Maritimo would rue that miss as Benfica grabbed the lead one minute later when an unmarked Cardozo scored his 10th goal in the Liga when he headed in a Sepsi cross to put the visitors one up.

Cardozo chance goes begging

The hosts came storming back in the 29th minute as Marcinho released a thunderous shot which just missed at the far post. Benfica had a wonderful opportunity to double their lead immediately after the restart as Cardozo was left all alone again inside the six yard box, but sent a weak header wide.

Maritimo drew level in the 75th minute as debutant Ytalo made a run down the left flank with Edcarlos by his side, who failed to challenge his opponent. The Brazilian defender allowed the striker to run towards Quim and from a tight angle beat the Benfica goalkeeper to draw level.

The visitors responded in the 84th minute as Cardozo whipped in a free kick that had Marcos beaten, but whistled just wide.

Questions need to be asked of Benfica’s goalkeeper Quim as the Portuguese international has made some strange decisions recently, and he just might cast doubt over his spot on the national team should he further continue with his dubious goalkeeping.

Nonetheless, Benfica earned an important away point and will look to build on it when they next host Pacos de Ferreira.

Maritimo:
Marcos, Ricardo Esteves (Briguel, 50), Gregory, Van der Linden, Evaldo, Bruno, Olberdam, Mossoro, Marcinho, Baba (Ytalo, 73), Fabio Felicio (Djalma, 62)
Yellow Cards: Bruno (83)

Benfica:
Quim, Nelson, Edcarlos, Katsouranis, Leo, Binya, Petit (Nuno Gomes, 80), Luis Filipe (Rui Costa, 60), Cristian Rodrigues, Sepsi (Maxi Pereira, 72), Cardozo
Yellow Cards: Binya (70), Katsouranis (72), Maxi Pereira (87)

Goals:
[0-1] Cardozo, 25
[1-1] Ytalo, 75