Determination, desire and ambition for a great reaction

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Benfica drew (2-2) this Sunday, May 21, at the Estádio José de Alvalade, in a clash from matchday 33 of the Liga Bwin. The eagles were down 2-0, but a great second half earned the competition leader a point. Winning the title is at the distance of a triumph against Santa Clara, at the Estádio da Luz.

The reds stepped onto the pitch with just one change compared with the starting eleven in the triumph (1-5) against Portimonense, with Otamendi returning after suspension to replace Morato. 

At 39', Sporting opened the scoring. António Silva was unable to intercept Nuno Santos' pass to Trincão, who shot for an incomplete save from Benfica's goal stopper. On the rebound, the Sporting forward beat Odysseas and scored the 1-0. At 44', the lions scored the 2-0 through Diomande, following a corner taken by Nuno Santos on the left.

Benfica's goal was in sight, and it came in the 71st minute. Grimaldo made a cross and Aursnes put the ball in the back of the net with a header.

The fourth of the eight minutes of stoppage time given by João Pinheiro brought the fair reward for Benfica's reaction. Aursnes crossed towards Musa, and this one headed Florentino's feet. In a somewhat confusing play, the midfielder won the ball against green and white defenders, and it was passed to João Neves, whose first shot was blocked on the goal line by Paulinho. However, in the rebound, the youngster nurtured at Benfica Campus clinched the equalizer (2-2) with his first goal in the eagles' first team.

In the last round of the Liga Bwin, Benfica receives the bottom placed and already relegated Santa Clara, at the Estádio da Luz. A win will seal the 38th league title for the Glorioso!