Benfica secured a narrow 2:1 victory over Estoril in the fourth round of the Primeira Liga at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Monday evening. The hosts took the lead through V. Pavlidis before C. Lenglet doubled their advantage, only for Y. Begraoui to strike late and complicate matters. and here's the thing — by then, Benfica had already done enough to hold on.
The opening goal came in the 40th minute when Pavlidis found space to finish. Lenglet made it 2:0 shortly after the interval, but Estoril refused to disappear quietly. Begraoui's 82nd-minute effort brought the visitors within reach, and Benfica had to weather a period where they were clearly vulnerable. one mistake ends it, as the visitors sensed blood.
Benfica controlled the tempo with 67 per cent possession and 127 attacks, yet their 2.03 expected goals did not translate into a comfortable margin. Eight shots on target produced two goals, while Estoril managed just two attempts on goal for one result. The hosts created two big chances but failed to convert them into a decisive cushion. did not travel to make up the numbers, but neither side was fully satisfied.
Eleven substitutions were made across the match, with Benfica bringing on Rafa Silva, R. Sanchez, A. Lacximicant, S. Andreou, V. Pavlidis, G. Sudakov and G. Prestianni at various stages. Estoril introduced F. Medrano in the 82nd minute. I. Sierra received a yellow card for Benfica in the 75th minute, a moment that coincided with the visitors' growing urgency.
The result leaves Benfica eighth in the table with four points from two games, one win and one draw. Estoril remain in 17th place after three matches, carrying just one point from a single draw and two defeats. The gap between them is widening, though Benfica still have work to do before declaring themselves comfortable.
