Setubal deny Benfica with late leveller

Setubal 1-1 Benfica

Benfica may have surrendered their title hopes as they drew 1-1 away to Vitoria Setubal. Mantorras scored a late second half goal and appeared to have given the Lisbon club the win, but Edinho drew the hosts level two minutes from time to stick a dagger in the hearts of their guests.

If the draw, possibly handing the title to FC Porto, were not bad enough, Luisao and Katsouranis almost came to blows in the middle of the pitch to leave all Benfica supporters in shock and disgust.

Setubal thought they had enjoyed the perfect start in the 4th minute when Paulinho put the ball in the back of the net, but the match official rightfully called Matheus offside in the build-up.

Benfica slowly started to take the game over and pin the hosts inside their own half of the pitch. The best opportunity of the half for Benfica came in the 37th minute when Maxi Pereira was sent in by a fine Katsouranis pass, but Eduardo got the better of the Uruguayan international’s effort, making the save with his feet.

Pitbull shows his teeth

Vitoria came alive in the final minute of the half as Pitbull went past three Benfica defenders, but a sharp interception by Nelson defused the situation before the Setubal striker could get his shot in.

The second half saw more ebb and flow of attack, albeit with little threat for either Quim or Eduardo. Then a bizarre turn of events in the 63rd minute saw Luisao and Katsouranis exchange insults and start shoving one another before their team-mates had to separate them.

The Brazilian central defender did not appreciate receiving a yellow card for a foul he had to commit, resulting from what he felt was a dangerous pass made by the Greek international. Katsouranis took exception to the criticism and gave Luisao a piece of his mind.

Camacho anger

Camacho, who was livid on the sidelines, opted to substitute both players immediately, with Edcarlos and Mantorras coming on. Ironically, the move paid immediate dividends in the 71st minute as Mantorras blasted a Maxi Pereira ball into the back of the Setubal net.

Just when it seemed that Benfica were about to head out of town with the three points in their back pockets, Edinho tied the game in the 88th minute when a thundering header from a Pitbull cross that flew past Quim.

Only days after Quim had tried to rally the team on towards committing fewer errors and playing like the Benfica of old, the goalkeeper’s words fell on deaf ears as the Eagles regressed to mediocrity. Setubal, on the other hand, are thrilled with the result and the club continues to be a thorn in Benfica’s side this season.

Vitoria Setubal:
Eduardo, Janicio, Robson, Auri, Adalto, Elias, Sandro (Filipe, 77), Ricardo Chaves, Paulinho (Edinho, 32), Claudio Pitbull, Matheus (Bruno Gama, 73)

Benfica:
Quim, Luis Filipe, Luisao (Edcarlos, 68), David Luiz, Nelson, Petit, Katsouranis (Mantorras, 68), Maxi Pereira, Rui Costa, Cristian Rodriguez (Di Maria, 32), Cardozo
Yellow Cards: Cristian Rodriguez (29), Di Maria (43), Luisao (63), Rui Costa (83)

Goals:
[0-1] Mantorras, 71
[1-1] Edinho, 88