17 September 2007, by Marco Pereira

Masterful Rui Costa engineers easy Benfica win

Benfica 3-0 Naval

Benfica notched their second consecutive 3-0 win as they romped to victory against Naval at the Estadio da Luz. Cristian Rodriguez, Rui Costa and Nuno Gomes all got on the scoreboard for the Eagles as they now prepare for their Champions League encounter against AC Milan at the San Siro.

The match took a while to get going as Naval positioned themselves well defensively, with four players up front looking to hit Benfica on the counter attack.

A tepid first half came alive in the 23rd minute when Uruguayan winger, Cristian Rodriguez, notched his first goal in a Benfica jersey when he unleashed a left-footed strike from 20 metres out which fairly fizzed low past Taborda and into the far corner to give the home side the lead.

Costa magic

In the 35th minute Rui Costa produced a moment of magic, as the maestro notched his fourth goal of the season with some lovely individual skill. Luis Filipe passed low into the box where Costa gathered with his right foot, spun around and tucked the ball with his left foot past a sprawling Taborda to make it 2-0.

In the second half Naval threatened to make a game of it as twice in the 49th minute Quim had to be sharp to deny a Mario Sergio free kick and the rebound effort from second half substitute, Saulo.

But Benfica put the game to bed in the 52nd minute when Nuno Gomes sealed the victory with his first goal of the season. Rui Costa played a majestic 50-metre pass to Di Maria and the Argentine’s cross was met by Gomes who sent a looping header past the outstretched hand of Taborda.

Credit should be given to Naval who kept pressing with Joao Ribeiro forcing Quim into a good save with his feet, before Hugo Costa released a thunderous shot from 30 metres that Benfica’s international goalkeeper did well to push over the crossbar.

In the final seconds Joao Ribeiro finally beat Quim, but not the crossbar, as Naval were wondering what they had to do to score a goal, with a flurry of attempts from China, Saulo and Elivelton all repelled by an inspired Quim – a fantastic display of goalkeeping prowess.

Another consequence of the match saw bad injuries suffered by Naval goalkeeper, Taborda, and Benfica midfielder Petit. The combative Portugal midfielder left the pitch in agony having suffered knee ligament damage which is likely to rule him out of action for up to six weeks.

Benfica:
Quim, Luis Filipe, Katsouranis, Edcarlos, Leo, Petit (Romeu Ribeiro, 76), Rui Costa, Di Maria (Fabio Coentrao, 78), Maxi Pereira, Cristian Rodriguez (Nuno Assis, 83), Nuno Gomes
Yellow Card: Di Maria (30)

Naval:
Taborda (Rodrigo, 70), Mario Sergio, Paulao, Gaucho, China, Delfim, Godemeche (Hugo Santos, 61), Joao Ribeiro, Davide, Wandeir (Saulo, 46), Elivelton
Yellow Cards: China (36)

Goals:
[1-0] Cristian Rodriguez, 23
[2-0] Rui Costa, 35
[3-0] Nuno Gomes, 52