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20 August 2007, by Joao Pedro

Benfica held by newly-promoted Leixoes

Leixoes 1-1 Benfica

Benfica became the first of the big three to drop points this season as a last-second equaliser from Nigerian striker Nwoko gave newly promoted Leixoes a share of the points.

The Eagles will be kicking themselves for having let two points slip through their grasp after taking the lead in the 89th minute through Petit.

The match was played at Boavista’s Estadio do Bessa as Leixoes’ stadium is undergoing building improvements, but that didn’t stop a sizeable turnout greeting the ‘home’ team as the historical Porto club made their return to the top flight after almost two decades out of Portugal’s top division.

Benfica were clearly the better team in the opening 15 minutes, with Rui Costa, fresh from his two-goal Champions League salvo in midweek, spraying the ball around with typical pinpoint accuracy.

Nevertheless, the Eagles were finding it difficult to produce chances for the front two of Nuno Gomes and Cardozo, and it was Leixoes who produced the first good opportunities.

Quim shines

In the 24th minute Roberto escaped the attentions of his marker Katsouranis and his header forced Quim into an excellent save. Paulo Machado then brought the best out of the Portugal keeper again, before Vieirinha shot just over the bar during a purple patch for the home team, but Benfica survived the onslaught to go into the break all square.

Leixoes star striker Roberto continued to cause plenty of problems for the Benfica defence in the second half. Only fine interceptions by David Luiz and Katsouranis prevented the Brazilian from breaking the deadlock.

Gradually Benfica began to take control of proceedings. In the 74th minute Cardozo produced a stunning long-range strike from a free-kick that just cleared the bar, and Rui Costa forced goalkeeper Beto into a flying save with a shot from outside the box.

Bergessio was then played through on goal but with just the keeper to beat he shot wildly over the bar with a furious Cardozo screaming for the ball at the far post.

Just when it seemed the game would end goalless, Rui Costa swung over a corner kick, Katsouranis flicked the ball on and Petit nodded into the net to give Benfica the lead. But joy soon turned to despair for the Eagles after Nwoko’s last-gasp equaliser, and following two indifferent displays in the first two official matches of the season, the pressure is already starting to grow for Benfica coach Fernando Santos.

Leixoes:
Beto, Marco Cadete, Elvis, Nuno Diogo, Ezequias, Bruno China, Pedro Cervantes (Hugo Morais, 84), Paulo Machado, Jorge Gonçalves (Nwoko, 71), Roberto (Tales, 77), Vieirinha
Yellow Card: Roberto

Benfica:
Quim, Nelson, Katsouranis, David Luiz, Leo, Petit, Luis Filipe (Fabio Coentrao, 70), Rui Costa, Nuno Assis (Andres Diaz, 90), Nuno Gomes (Bergessio, 55), Cardozo
Yellow Cards: Nuno Assis, Rui Costa

Goals:
[0-1] Petit, 89
[1-1] Nwoko, 90