The historic fourth consecutive title!

May 13^th, 2017. A day that will remain forever in the history of the country. Pope Francisco ended his visit to Fatima, Portugal won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time and Benfica won the unprecedented fourth consecutive title...

At Estádio da Luz, the expectations were high for the game from the penultimate (33) matchday of Liga NOS. A triumph would seal the 36th title of the Club's history and the team entered the game on the front foot, accomplishing that goal in an emphatic way.

A 21-man squad – Jardel, Eliseu and Zivkovic were left out of the final options –, the Starting XI chosen by Rui Vitória had only one change in relation to the away game at Vila do Conde. Salvio replaced Rafa in the Starting XI. Cervi opened the scoring, after a uncomplete save from Douglas to a shot from Jonas (10’). It was the first moment of an explosion of joy at Estádio da Luz, that registered its biggest attendance ever: 64 591 spectators. 

The second goal didn't take long. Raúl seized a goal kick from Ederson and scored the 2-0 with a header.

Then, appeared Jonas, first he missed two clear goal chances, but then he assisted Pizzi, who scored the 3-0, in the 37'. At the end of the first half: Fejsa recovered the ball at V. Guimarães defensive zone and Jonas lobbed Douglas.

In the second half, Marega pushed Cervi in the penalty area  and Jorge Sousa awarded a penalty. Jonas completed his brace and scored the 5-0, in the 67'.

MARQUÊS WELCOMED THE FOUR-TIME CHAMPIONS

The celebrations of Benfica's fourth consecutive title were long and ended in apotheoses at Praça do Marquês de Pombal, in Lisbon's city, with thousands of supporter celebrating with the team. 

Eliseu was one of the big entertainers of the night, with the motorcycle accompanied him since the Estádio da Luz dressing rooms.

MATCH SHEET

Estádio da Luz

May 13th 2017

Matchday 33 of  Liga NOS 2016/17        

64 591 spectators

Benfica-V. Guimarães, 5-0

At half-time: 4-0

Referee: Jorge Sousa (AF Porto)

SL Benfica: Ederson Moraes, Nélson Semedo, Luisão, Victor Lindelöf, Alex Grimaldo, Ljubomir Fejsa (79’ Samaris), Pizzi, Toto Salvio, Raúl Jiménez, Jonas (87’ André Almeida) and Franco Cervi (72’ Carrillo).

Coach: Rui Vitória.

Unused substitutes: Júlio César, Filipe Augusto, Kostas Mitroglou and Rafa Silva.

Goals: Cervi (11’), Raúl (16’), Pizzi (37’ and 44’), Jonas (44’ and 67’ pg).

Yellow Cards: Jonas (45’) e Grimaldo (85’).

Red Cards: Nothing to report.

Vitória de Guimarães: Douglas; Bruno Gaspar (70’ Tozé), Pedro Henrique, Josué Sá e Ghislain Konan; Rafael Miranda, Bongani Zungu, Hernâni Fortes (46’ João Aurélio) e Paolo Hurtado (46’ Raphinha); Moussa Marega and David Texeira.

Unused substitutes: Miguel Silva, Prince Gouano, Fábio Sturgeon and Rafael Martins.

Coach: Pedro Martins.

Yellow Cards: Marega (45’ +1’), Bruno Gaspar (54’) and Tozé (89’).

Red Cards: Nothing to report.

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia

Pics: Archive/ SL Benfica