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Club
25 October 2024, 09h04
Estádio da Luz
Engraved in the history of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, October 25, 2003, was marked in the eternity of the Glorioso as the day it inaugurated its home in the 21st century: the new Estádio da Luz.
THE 21st VICTORY
Benfica-Dínamo Zagreb (25/11/2004). A 2-0 win on matchday 3 of Group G of the 2004/05 UEFA Cup.
Benfica's 21st official win at the new Estádio da Luz coincided with their 30th match at the Cathedral. It was in the 2004/05 season, and it came against Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb, who were playing on matchday 3 of Group G of the UEFA Cup. Sokota opened the scoring against his former team, assisted by Simão Sabrosa, after 10 minutes. The latter extended the Reds' lead to 2-0 when he converted a penalty in the 28th minute. Up until that night, November 25, 2004, Benfica had won 20 and drawn 6.
THE 21st GOAL
From Zahovic, on Benfica-Rosenborg (26/2/2004). A 1-0 win in the first leg of the round of 32 in the 2003/04 UEFA Cup.
Benfica had never faced Rosenborg in their century-long history, and it was precisely against the Norwegian side, in the 2003/04 UEFA Cup, that they scored their 21st goal at the Estádio da Luz. It was the 59th minute when the Reds took the lead (1-0). Zahovic's left-footed shot from outside the penalty box, after a pass from Nuno Gomes, beat Espen Johnsen. That goal enabled the Eagles to advance to the second leg of the last 32 of the competition in the lead, where, in Trondheim (Norway), they secured their passage to the last 16.
THE 21st ASSIST
By Petit on Benfica-Belenenses (17/3/2004). 3-1 win, in the semi-finals of the 2003/04 Portuguese Cup.
On their way to the final of the 2003/04 Portuguese Cup, which they won against FC Porto (1-2 after extra time), Benfica left Belenenses behind in the semi-final thanks to a 3-1 win in Luz. The Reds' 2nd goal in the match, scored by Sokota in the 9th minute, came after a pass from Petit, in what was Benfica's 21st assist at the new venue. The Croatian striker had already opened the scoring in the 7th minute, and Tiago scored the Eagles' 3rd goal.
THE 21st COMEBACK
Benfica-Académica (9/1/2013). A 3-2 win on matchday 3 of Group D of the 2012/13 League Cup. Lima turned the result around (from 1-2 to 3-2; the 2-2 was scored by Alan Kardec).
On such an emotional stage as the Estádio da Luz, where Benfica fervor takes on expressions that are difficult to qualify, the moments when Benfica manage to turn around an adverse result are particularly important on the passion menu. The Cathedral saw its 21st comeback on January 9, 2013, when Lima made it 3-2 against Académica on matchday 3 of Group D of the League Cup. The Brazilian striker opened the scoring (40'), but the students responded with goals from Makelele (44') and Carlos Saleiro (50'). Alan Kardec (62') equalized on the hour mark and Lima (66') sealed the win.
THE 21st OFFICIAL MATCH
Benfica-Moreirense (11/9/2004). 2-0 win, on matchday 2 of the 2004/05 National Championship.
Moreirense were Benfica's opponents in the 21st official match played at the Estádio da Luz. It was the first home match of the 2004/05 national championship, which ended with the 31st national championship title. Petit (24') and Simão Sabrosa (82') scored the goals for the Reds.
21st GAME WITHOUT CONCEDING
Benfica-Sporting (14/5/2005). A 1-0 win on matchday 33 of the 2004/05 National Championship. “Title match”, with a goal from Luisão.
In what, for many, was the “title match” in the conquest of the 31st National Championship, Benfica beat Sporting 1-0, with a header from Luisão in the 83rd minute. The Eagles achieved an important defensive record in that derby: the 21st game without conceding a goal at the new Estádio da Luz. On May 14, 2005, Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni presented a defense made up of Miguel, Luisão, Ricardo Rocha and Manuel dos Santos, with Quim in goal.
THE 21st OPPONENT IN THE UEFA COMPETITIONS
Copenhagen, in Benfica-Copenhagen (14/8/2007). A 2-1 win in the 3rd qualifying round of the 2007/08 Champions League.
President Rui Costa, then a player, left his mark on Benfica's 21st UEFA match at the Estádio da Luz. The eagles hosted Danish side Copenhagen on August 14, 2007, in the first leg of the 3rd qualifying round for the 2007/08 Champions League group stage, and won 2-1. The Maestro, owner of the number 10 jersey, scored the two goals that gave the Lisbon side the lead going into the away leg. There they won again, this time by 0-1, with a goal from Katsouranis.
THE 21st MATCH IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE
Benfica-Spartak Moscow (7/11/2012). 2-0 win, on matchday 4 of Group G of the 2012/13 Champions League..
Two-time champions in 1960/61 and 1961/62, Benfica have a long history in Europe's top club competition, now known as the Champions League and with a new format. The Glorioso played their 21st match in the Champions League group stage at the Estádio da Luz against Russian side Spartak Moscow. Óscar Cardozo scored twice (55' and 69') on the night of November 7, 2012, enabling the team to take three points on matchday 4 of Group G.
THE 21st PORTUGUESE GOAL
From Simão Sabrosa, in Benfica-Rio ave (21/11/2004). 3-3 draw, on matchday 11 of the 2004/05 National Championship.
Benfica's visit to Rio Ave on November 21, 2004, on matchday 11 of the 2004/05 National Championship, allowed Simão Sabrosa to score the 21st Portuguese goal at the Cathedral. The Portuguese international forward even scored twice in the match (3-3), but it was the opening goal that set the record straight, the result of a powerful shot after a run from left to center in the 3rd minute.
THE 21st FOREIGN PLAYER TO SCORE
Freddy Adu, in Benfica-Vitória FC (20/10/2007). 1-1 draw, in the first leg of the 4th qualifying round of the 2007/08 League Cup.
American Freddy Adu, wearing an eagle on his chest and in his first season in European football, was the 21st foreign player to score at the Estádio da Luz. In stoppage time, with a curved shot from the edge of the box - already inside it - he equalized (1-1) against Vitória FC, in the first leg of the 4th qualifying round of the 2007/08 League Cup. The left-winger came on in the 73rd minute in place of Di María.
THE 21st PORTUGUESE PLAYER TO SCORE
Gonçalo Guedes, in Benfica-Paços de Ferreira (26/9/2015). 3-0 win on matchday 6 of the 2015/16 National Championship.
On scoring his first goal for Benfica's first team, in a match in which he provided two assists for Jonas, Gonçalo Guedes became the 21st Portuguese player to score at the Estádio da Luz. Paços de Ferreira were the victims (3-0) on matchday 6 of the 2015/16 National Championship. The talent made in Benfica Campus followed a consistent upward trajectory during the season, ending it with 4 goals and 6 assists in 31 games.
21st GOAL FROM THE PENALTY SPOT
From Cardozo, in Benfica-Vitória FC (31/8/2009). 8-1 victory on matchday 3 of the 2009/10 National Championship.
The best foreign scorer in Benfica's history, Óscar Cardozo, with 172 goals in 293 games, scored 109 goals in 153 matches at the Estádio da Luz. His was the 21st goal scored in the new Cathedral from a penalty. This happened in the Benfica-Vitória FC match on August 31, 2009, in which the eagles won 8-1 on matchday 3 of the Campeonato Nacional. It was the first of three goals he scored against the Sadinos.
THE 21st GOAL IN THE 1st HALF
Nuno Gomes, in Benfica-Heerenveen (21/10/2004). A 4-2 win on matchday 1 of Group G in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup. It was the 2-0.
When Nuno Gomes scored the 2-0, his 21st goal in the first half at the Estádio da Luz, in on matchday 1 of UEFA Cup Group G against Dutch side Heerenveen, the striker accentuated a superiority that came into question in the second half, when the away side equalized (2-2). The Eagles then went on to claim the three points with two more goals.
THE 21st GOAL IN CLÁSSICOS
Jonas, in Benfica-FC Porto (1/4/2017). 1-1 draw, on matchday 27 of the 2016/17 Campeonato Nacional, the year of the Fourth League title in a row.
He is one of the undeniable figures of Benfica's football in the 21st century, and among the many marks he has left is the fact that Jonas was the scorer of the club's 21st goal in clássicos against FC Porto played at the Estádio da Luz. The Brazilian goal scorer, who ended his career at the age of 35 with 182 official games with the eagle on his chest and 137 goals, showed off his skills on April 1, 2017, when he scored from the penalty spot in the 7th minute to give the Reds a 1-1 draw with the Dragons, in the year they won the fourth league title in a row.
THE 21st DERBY
Benfica-Sporting (25/7/2020). A 2-1 win on matchday 34 of the 2019/20 National Championship. Goals from Seferovic and Carlos Vinícius.
The hardships of everyday life meant that the 21st derby with Sporting at the Cathedral was played without a crowd, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the players outside the four lines wore masks. With fans' scarves on every seat in Luz, Benfica went ahead through Seferovic in the 28th minute and Carlos Vinícius, in the 88th minute, broke the deadlock with a left-footed goal in the box at the far post, following a cross from Pizzi. The Reds ended the 2019/20 National Championship with all 3 points on matchday 34.
THE 21st IN DERBIES
From Cardozo (9/11/2013). A 4-3 win, after extra time, in the 4th round of the 2013/14 Portuguese Cup.
It was Cardozo's 21st goal in a derby against Sporting at the Estádio da Luz, and in one of the most memorable clashes in the recent history of the two clubs, but also in the Paraguayan international's career. It was the 4th round of the 2013/14 Portuguese Cup, on November 9, 2013, when Cardozo scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 win after extra time. The Paraguayan international's third goal was the result of a powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the area, which took the ball into the top left-hand corner of Sporting's goal.
THE 21st GOAL IN THE 2ND HALF
Nuno Gomes, in Benfica-Heerenveen (21/10/2004). A 4-2 win on matchday 1 of Group G in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup. It was 4-2.
Nuno Gomes, scorer of the 21st goal in the first half at the Estádio da Luz, also scored the 21st goal in the second half at the Catedral, in the same match against Dutch side Heerenveen, in the first round of Group G of the 2004/05 UEFA Cup. This time, it was the goal that made it 4-2 after 78 minutes, restoring the two-goal lead at half-time.
THE 21st OPPONENT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Penafiel (18/12/2004). 1-0 win, on matchday 15 of the 2004/05 National Championship.
The 2004/05 season was underway when Benfica faced their 21st opponent at the Estádio da Luz in league matches. Penafiel were the opponents on December 18, 2004, and the Eagles triumphed with a goal from Brazilian central defender Argel, in the 22nd minute, from a free kick from the right by Petit. After the goal, in the celebrations, the defender surprised everyone by running to the substitutes' bench, towards coach Giovanni Trapattoni, kissing him on the forehead, in what is an episode remembered by many Benfiquistas.
THE JERSEYS 21
Nuno Gomes (8 seasons), Pizzi (8), Schjelderup (3) and Matic (2).
During the 21 years at the Estádio da Luz, there has always been a player from the professional football team wearing the number 21 jersey, however, two of them have done so in 8 seasons: Nuno Gomes and Pizzi. Both have held the captain's armband, and separating them, in terms of wearing the number 21, was Matic, for 2 seasons. Currently, in the 2024/25 season, it is Schjelderup who wears the number.
THE 21st GOALKEEPER
Samuel Soares, in Benfica-Santa clara (27/5/2023). A 3-0 win on matchday 34 of the 2022/23 National Championship. The duel that determined the 38th league title.
The first Benfica goalkeeper to play in official matches at the Estádio da Luz was Moreira, a product of the club's academy, and the 21st bears the Benfica Campus seal of quality. We're talking about Samuel Soares, who, in the last match of the 2022/23 Championship, came off the bench in the 89th minute to become national champion, as the 64,012 fans celebrated the 38th league title against Santa Clara (3-0).
THE 21st MATCH OF THE NATIONAL TEAM
Portugal-Serbia (25/3/2019). 1-1 draw, on matchday 7 of Group B qualifying for the 2020 European Championship.
The national team played its first official match at the new Estádio da Luz on June 16, 2004, on matchday 2 of Group A of the 2004 European Championship, organized by Portugal, against Russia (2-0). A venue usually chosen by the Portuguese Football Federation, with a capacity of around 65,000 spectators, the Cathedral hosted its 21st match on March 25, 2019, against Serbia (1-1).
Article published in the October 25 edition of the newspaper O Benfica
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