"We brought great joy to the fans"

STATEMENTS

Like a fine Port wine that refines itself over the years, Di María is still cut out for the big games and was named Man of the Match in the Benfica-FC Porto match of round 11 of the Liga Betclic, after scoring a brace in the Reds' 4-1 win this Sunday, November 10.

The Argentine star's penchant for scoring in important matches remains very much alive, and tonight's derby was just another example. The teams went into the break level at 1-1, with Benfica unable to hold on to the advantage of having opened the scoring in a period in which they were well on top of their opponents. 

In the 56th minute, assisted by Aursnes, Di María burst into the area down the right flank and, in Diogo Costa's face, fired a curving shot at the far post, with the Porto keeper, already sitting on the grass, turning his face and watching as the ball kissed the net.

DI MARÍA'S GOAL (2-1)

With the Inferno da Luz fulfilling its role as 12th man, Di María once again left his signature on the history of the clássico. Called upon to take the penalty for a foul on Otamendi in the 82nd minute, the 11-meter specialist didn't let his credit go to waste and, with great class, scored to make it 4-1... Not since a 4-0 win in 1964 had FC Porto conceded four goals at Estádio da Luz.

DI MARÍA'S GOAL (4-1)

This performance earned Di María the Man of the Match award, and he reacted to it on the BTV microphone: "Happy with the win, we played a perfect game, we deserved a game like that. We didn't give a good image in the Champions League, we weren't ourselves, and today we're back to being the Benfica we've been lately, and we've brought great joy to the fans."

Fans who weren't forgotten by the forward as he celebrated the goals. As soon as the ball made the stadium erupt with joy, Di María approached the stands and, with a gesture, hugged everyone watching. The meaning was explained by the player: "That we're stronger together. Honestly, you can't say anything about people, in every game, at Estádio da  Luz or away, we're the ones who play at home. At home, there are never less than 60,000, and the truth is that I thanked the fans."