Supersonic goals

Man of the Match in Round 29 of Liga NOS against V. Setúbal, where he scored twice and completed an assist, Rafa keeps breaking records at Benfica with a tremendous speed.

The first goal in the victory over V. Setúbal was added to the list of the five Benfica’s fastest goals in this current edition of Liga NOS. Rafa, in addition, scored two of those early goals (Chaves, away, and V. Setúbal, at home); Jonas (Moreirense, at home), Seferovic (Aves, away) and Grimaldo (Nacional, at home) complete the list.

Another strong and productive start by Benfica, which is the team with the most goals (nine) in the first 15 minutes of Liga NOS matches.

The successful play started right after Rui Costa’s whistle, built with 26 passes between nine of the 11 players called up by Bruno Lage, as only Odysseas and Samaris did not touch the ball.

A brace for history

Rafa would score another time and still assisted Seferovic for the fourth goal in Round 29 (4-2). Man of the Match, the benfiquista broke another personal record, by making the second brace in the championship in the same season. In 2013/14, playing for SC Braga, the Portuguese international managed to do the same, but in different competitions (League and Portuguese Cup).

Twelve was his maximum number of goals scored in just one season (still at SC Braga); with the Sacred Mantle, in this current season already has 16, 12 in Liga NOS! Rafa is the second best scorer in the red squad, only overcome by Seferovic, the top scorer of Liga NOS with 19 goals.

Text: Diogo Nascimento

Pics: Isabel Cutileiro and João Paulo Trindade / SL Benfica