4 November 2007, by Marco Pereira

Another late winner earns Benfica three points

Pacos de Ferreira 1-2 Benfica

Benfica scrapped to another hard-fought victory for the second consecutive week, winning 2-1 away against a tenacious Pacos de Ferreira.

The Mata Real is never an easy place for the Eagles, but Cristian Rodriguez and Katsouranis ensured Benfica walked away with all three points, in the process cutting the gap to FC Porto to six points. Tiago Valente scored the lone goal for Pacos.

The home side, who always rise to the occasion against the big three, produced a masterful first half. Pacos were pressing and challenging for every ball all over the pitch, which succeeded in throwing Benfica off their rhythm.

The opening twenty minutes were played at a ferocious pace with both teams exchanging half-chances as they looked to get the early goal. Midway through the opening half Benfica took the lead as Cristian Rodriguez converted a Rui Costa free kick, meeting the cross with a fine glancing header.

Cristiano skill

It did not take long for Pacos to equalise. Eight minutes later the home team were level as Pacos worked a wonderful corner kick. A short pass to Cristiano, saw the forward put on a dazzling move to get past Nuno Assis and run into the Benfica box. The Brazilian then fizzed a pass into the heart of the area where the unmarked Tiago Valente had the simple task of poking into the net to make it 1-1.

The goal gave Pacos further momentum and Cristiano almost put the hosts into the lead in the 32nd minute as his shot whistled past Quim’s post. Two minutes later Pedrinha tried his luck with a looping effort from distance which forced Quim to backtrack and tip the ball over the crossbar.

Benfica appeared to be out of the game as they had not produced another goal scoring opportunity, but Nuno Assis gave the opposition something to think about before the break. The Portuguese forward made a good run down the left flank, cut into the Pacos box and released a wicked shot that had Pecanha beaten, but ended up on the wrong side of the post.

Entertaining contest

The second half continued in the same attacking vein. Pacos had a great opportunity to score in the 50th minute, but Renato Queiros, with just Quim to beat, grazed the post with his effort. Benfica responded with two chances as Maxi Pereira forced Pecanha to make an instinctive save from his header and Cardozo’s shot was deflected off a defender and out of play.

Pacos began to tire as Benfica gradually started to dominate possession. In the final five minutes of regulation time Benfica were awarded a free kick deep in the Pacos half. Rui Costa’s tantalizing cross was pushed out by Pecanha, but it went straight to Katsouranis who coolly slotted the ball into the open net to give Benfica the lead.

Pacos almost drew level three minutes later when second-half substitute, Furtado, clanked the crossbar with a header. Things went from bad to worse for the home side as Roversio was shown a second yellow card in the 90th minute and was ordered to hit the showers.

A tough loss for Pacos de Ferreira, but a performance they should be proud of. More displays such as this will surely see them climb out of the relegation zone soon.

Another character win for Benfica as the club tries to claw their way closer to league leaders FC Porto. The two consecutive last-gasp Liga wins will boost Benfica’s confidence as they head to Parkhead to face Celtic in the Champions League in midweek.

Pacos de Ferreira:
Pecanha, Manqualde (Ferreira, 65), Roversio, Tiago Valente, Chico Silva, Filipe Anunciacao (Wesley, 87), Dede, Pedrinha, Ricardinho, Renato Queiros (Furtado, 72), Cristiano
Yellow Cards: Renato Queiros (26), Roversio (31 & 90), Filipe Anunciacao (81), Dede (82)
Red Cards: Roversio (90)

Benfica:
Quim, Luis Filipe, Katsouranis, Leo, Binya, Rui Costa, Maxi Pereira (Nuno Gomes, 58), Nuno Assis (Di Maria, 71), Cristian Rodriguez, Cardozo (Adu, 83)
Yellow Cards: Cardozo (31), Maxi Pereira (33), Nuno Gomes (81), Binya (84)

Goals:
[0-1] Cristian Rodriguez, 21
[1-1] Tiago Valente, 29
[1-2] Katsouranis, 86