João Félix produces a spark!

He scored Benfica's second goal in the home match against Paços de Ferreira (2-0) and, according to Playmaker Stats, he is  youngest player ever to score in his debut for the Reds in the League Cup. Every time he plays as a starter, he either scores or assists.

He was a starter on the left side of an attack spearheaded by Seferovic and, at 45’, the 19-year-old forward – a product from the Reds’ academy – scored the second goal of the encounter and his third of the season.

“We all work to play and to have opportunities and the gaffer gives us those opportunities.And when he hands us an opportunity, we have to show that we deserve to be on the pitch and give a good response. Every player likes to score goals, all the more in a win and now I have to keep doing what I have been doing to have more opportunities and to give my best”, explained the youngster at the end of the match.

September 23, 2018. João Félix made his first match as a starter for Benfica, in the home match against Desportivo das Aves (2-0), in matchday 5 of the Liga NOS. The number 79 opened the scoring at 34', chipping the ball over the goalkeeper. We came off at 53’ (injured) and was replaced by Cervi.

Next, on  November 2, came the welcoming of Moreirense to Estádio da Luz in a game from matchday 9 of the Liga NOS. Benfica would end losing by 1-3 after an early goal from Jonas at 2’. It was the second match as a starter and the first assist from João Félix, , who was replaced by Cervi at 68'.

This Wednesday evening, another match as a starter, another goal. After a good combination between Krovinovic and Zivkovic, Seferovic – who had opened the scoring at 11’ – made a shot for Carlos Henriques’ intervention, but, in the rebound, João Félix delivered a powerful shot and scored the 2-0.

In fact, the number 79 is already, according to the data from Playmaker Stats, the youngest player ever to score in his Benfica debut (as a starter) in the League Cup, with 19 years and 26 days, followed by Sidnei (19 years and 4 months). The youngster nurtured in Seixal also enters, according to the same platform, for the top 5 of youngster player to score in their debut (as a starter) in the competition.

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia and Sónia Antunes

Pics: João Paulo Trindade / SL Benfica