Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 21:20• Tom Rofekamp • Last update: 21:33

Benfica did not make a mistake on Saturday night. A week and a half before the meeting in the Champions League with Ajax, the team of trainer Nélson Veríssimo managed – albeit with difficulty – to put aside mid-engine Santa Clara with 2-1. A double by Darwin Núñez undone Mohammad Mohebi’s opening goal. Benfica thus records its second win in a row and closes the gap with number two Sporting Portugal to four points (50 to 54).

O Glorioso took the initiative from moment one. The number three of the Primeira Liga saw attempts by Rafa Silva and Núñez come to nothing, before Jan Vertonghen fired on goalkeeper Marco Pereira in the nineteenth minute. For a moment the opening goal seemed to be there, but the Belgian defender of Benfica saw his attempt, regretfully, burst onto the post. Out of nowhere, the ball suddenly landed on the other side of the net.

Rui Costa was launched and appeared to be sidelined. However, the referee did not respond, so that the Portuguese effort towards Odysseas Vlachodimos could continue. The Greek closing post turned the ball, but hit it right into Mohebi’s feet, who profited gratefully: 0-1. Despite frantic protests from Benfica, the goal remained valid. The home team was stronger than the opponent and actively went in search of the equalizer.

A dead game moment after an hour of play brought the redemption. Rafa was knocked down by Mikel Villanueva and the ball went on the spot. Núñez stepped forward and defeated a stiffened Pereira with a shot into the right corner. Two minutes later, the Uruguayan brought the Éstadio da Luz into ecstasy. Rafa got the ball after a good rush at Roman Yaremchuk, who in turn found Núñez again. The goal-getter remained icy calm and signed for his eighteenth league goal in as many matches. Santa Clara was unable to cope with the superiority of the home team, leaving the score on the scoreboard unchanged until the final whistle.