Determination rewarded with flight for the 7th straight win 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

It was not easy, but the victory of Benfica over Estoril (0-1), in Matchday 8 of the Liga Betclic, rewarded the warrior spirit and the will of the reds, whose goal was born from a clear header by António Silva in the additional time. With this outcome, the eagles secured the seventh consecutive triumph in the league and took the provisional top spot.

At Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, on Saturday evening, October 7, Roger Schmidt bet on a starting XI with six novelties regarding the game against Inter Milan: António Silva, Jurásek, Florentino, Chiquinho, João Mário and Tengstedt replaced Bah, Morato, Juan Bernat, João Neves, Kökcü and Di María.

Trubin, Otamendi, Aursnes, Rafa and Neres completed the starting team for this clash. 

At 11', after a defensive action of Neres, Tengstedt, in debut in the red XI, appeared on the left, glimpsed João Mário inside the box and tried to serve him. The ball was eventually left to Rafa, who fired the ball to be instinctively saved by Marcelo Carné.  

Better than the opponent, Benfica tried to cause damage to the Estorilistas. At 31', Neres, at the entrance of the box, shot over the bar.

Benfica kept seeking the opener and, at 32', Chiquinho passed to Tengstedt, who left the ball to Neres. The Brazilian attacking midfielder shot for a great save by Marcelo Carné. 

At 34', Rafa the crossed to the Danish Tengstedt, who, in the ball dispute with Tiago Araújo, was touched by the defender canarinho inside the box. The referee André Narciso did not give a penalty and the play was not reviewed by the VAR.

Pressing the accelerator, at 38', Neres and Rafa started another situation that left the rival defense in trouble. Good combination between them, with the Brazilian trying to offer the goal to Rafa. The ball touched Volnei, and Tengstedt threw it into the side netting.

0-0 at the half-time. Returning from the changing rooms, the pace remained: Benfica with the initiative and Estoril trying to take advantage from quick counterattacks.

And it was the home team to have the first attempt on target. At 50', a free-kick by Volnei and an easy save by Trubin. After that, two consecutive shots from Tiago Araújo and Rodrigo Gomes missed the goal (51'). Shortly after, Rodrigo Gomes assisted Heriberto, who made the ball hit post (54'). 

Benfica had a strong reaction and came back to threaten the opponent at 56'. Neres crossed to António Silva, and Silva, in an attacking raid, headed for Tengstedt. Pedro Álvaro prevented the striker from rebounding.

At 63', a penalty favorable to Benfica. In a play with Koindredi, Chiquinho fell down inside the box, but the referee, alerted by the VAR, reviewed the images and reversed the initial decision. 

Roger Schmidt made the first chance. João Neves and Musa replaced Florentino and Tengstedt, at 69'.

Determined to score, Benfica continued in search of the way to Estoril's goal. After nutmegging Rodrigo Gomes, Jurásek crossed to Musa, who won a corner-kick (73'). 

In a play between Juan Bernat, João Mário and Aursnes, the Norwegian shot over the bar (86').

The Benfica coach launched Gonçalo Guedes to João Mário's place, at 86'.

At 90'+3', the intensity and sharpness demonstrated had an effect. Neres' right corner in the attack, assistance by Musa, and header by António Silva to score the 0-1! 

Three points added before the break for national teams matches. The reds return to compete on Friday, October 20, the in Azores, in the 3rd round of the Portuguese Cup, against Lusitânia, at 3:30 pm (4:30 pm in continental Portugal).