Surprise, surprise: Benfica is out of the Women’s League Cup. The defending champions, the red team, did not find a way to overcome Novasemente’s defense and ended up being removed from the competition this Saturday. After a draw in regulation time, it was Espinho’s team that prevailed in the penalty shoot-out (2-4).
Although Benfica dominated for practically the entire 40 regulatory minutes, the level of effectiveness in finishing by the Eagles was far from the usual standards. Either due to a mistake in the shot or the incredible performance of Vanessa Carvalho. Who began to slow down the opposing attacks early on and played an even greater role in the penalty shootout, stopping two.
In a sense, the first half, especially, was one-way.
Benfica entered authoritatively, pressing high and not allowing the opponent to keep the ball for more than mere seconds. Diana Carvalho, during this period, faced an offensive avalanche from the Eagles. The goalkeeper was present and stopped various Benfica attacks.
Novasemente survived the initial ten minutes of constant pressure, but although they managed to grow as the minutes went by, they continued to be unable to pose any great threat to the goal defended by Ana Catarina. On the other side, Benfica continued with a great offensive flow, but the first half ended without the Eagles being able to translate their supremacy into goals.
The Luz team became more dangerous again in the second half, but the mistake did not change. At 25′, Inês Fernandes sent the ball to the far post, and Carolina Rocha made the cut to the crossbar. Novasemente survived again, but this time they also had shots to burn in the attack. That’s exactly what happened in the 31st minute. Carolina Rocha led a transition in numerical superiority, in one of the most promising moves by Espinho’s team, but Júnior didn’t get along, and the move was lost.
As the clock ticked, the frustration in the red team became increasingly felt and also disturbed the decision-making of Alexandre Pinto’s players.
Diana Carvalho, as if that wasn’t enough, Benfica committed five fouls four minutes from the end and only needed another minute to commit the sixth. Catarina Lopes took the free kick from ten meters, and Ana Catarina was glued to the court, but the ball hit the post. On the counterattack, Maria Pereira also had too much aim and hit the post. Unable to undo the draw, the two teams advanced to a penalty shoot-out.
Vanessa Carvalho, the best on the field in regulation time, once again assumed a leading role and immediately saved the first penalty taken by Inês Fernandes. Marta Costa was Benfica’s secret penalty weapon, but she was unable to save any of the penalties. Therefore, when Angélica Alves saw Vanessa Carvalho defend once again, Novasemente entered a match point situation, which it was up to Mariana Torres to convert