12 February 2007, by Marco Pereira

Benfica sent crashing out of cup

Varzim 2-1 Benfica

Benfica were surprisingly eliminated from the Round of 16 in the Portuguese Cup when they lost 2-1 to Liga de Honra side, Varzim.

An early Nelson own goal and a second-half effort by Mendonca saw the team from Povoa pull off another upset in the tournament as they sent the Lisbon side packing. Simao equalised in between for Benfica.

All credit must be given to Varzim as they played a disciplined game for the entire 90 minutes in front new coach, Diamantino Miranda. On the other hand, Benfica were not themselves as they appeared sluggish at times and one step behind their fully charged hosts.

The game started at a blistering pace as Varzim were determined to show new coach and ex-Benfica player, Diamantino, what they could do, but it was Benfica who threatened first in the 7th minute when Nuno Gomes found space in front of the Varzim goal, but delayed his shot and the danger was cleared.

Nelson own goal

From out of nowhere Varzim got the game’s first goal. The home side charged up field, down the right flank, Mendonca crossed the ball into the Benfica box, where it was met by Benfica right-back, Nelson, who in attempting to clear only succeeded in chesting the ball past Quim and into the net.

Two minutes later Benfica tried to level quickly, and Varzim’s goalkeeper, Ricardo, made a spectacular goal line save from an Anderson header that looked certain to be going into the net.

Next it was Benfica’s young gun, Joao Coimbra, who almost got his first goal in a Benfica jersey in the 25th minute. The ball was neatly laid off to him by Katsouranis, but the striker who is studying to be a doctor hit the ball wide.

Five minutes later Benfica got the equaliser they had been threatening when Simao Sabrosa climbed the ladder, between two Varzim defenders, to meet a Rui Costa cross and re-direct the ball into the far corner leaving Ricardo with no chance.

Although level, Benfica coach Fernando Santos felt a change was necessary as Joao Coimbra was having an ineffective game and was substituted by Mantorras at the interval.

The second half was not as interesting as the first and Benfica’s Beto was lucky on a couple of occasions not to receive a second yellow card for some rash challenges. In fear of being one man down for the rest of the match, Santos brought on Karyaka to replace the midfielder.

Mendonca header

It was not until the 77th minute that the game picked up as Mendonca, Varzim’s offensive catalyst, got on the end of a Nuno Rocha free kick and lifted the ball behind him with his head, sending it inside the far post to make it 2-1.

Benfica had it all to do with only 13 minutes of normal time remaining. The Eagles had a good chance to equalise five minutes before the final whistle, but substitute Marco Ferreira struck the ball way wide of goal from inside the box with just the keeper to beat.

It would be Benfica’s last opportunity as the home side ran down the clock to book their place deservedly in the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup.

Benfica, meanwhile, will be disappointed with their elimination, but have no time to dwell on their failure as they prepare for the UEFA Cup tie in midweek against Dynamo Bucharest at the Estadio da Luz.

Varzim:
Ricardo, Pedrinho, Alexandre, Pedro Santos, Nuno Ribeiro, Emanuel, Tito, Marco Claudio (Tiago Lopes, 83), Nuno Rocha, Mendonca (Yazalde, 90), Denilson (Neto, 89)
Yellow Cards: Nuno Ribeiro (39), Tito (48)

Benfica:
Quim, Nelso, Luisao, Anderson, Leo (Marco Ferreira, 83), Beto (Karyaka, 65), Joao Coimbra (Mantorras, 46), Karsouranis, Rui Costa, Simao, Nuno Gomes
Yellow Cards: Anderson (5), Luisao (47), Beto (57), Karyaka (89), Marco Ferreira (90)

Goals:
[1-0] Nelson, 13 (o.g.)
[1-1] Simao, 30
[2-1] Mendonca, 77