Benfica beat Povoa-de-Varzim 37-30 in Andebol 1 on Saturday, the fifth of September. The visitors took the points on the road, moving to fifth in the table with three from one game. Povoa-de-Varzim remain eleventh with a single point from their opening fixture.
It was a steady performance rather than anything theatrical. Benfica controlled the tempo and finished ahead, while the hosts held out longer than the scoreline might suggest. To be fair, they have not lost since their first match of the season.
Both sides came into this with recent history between them. Povoa-de-Varzim lost 34-35 to Benfica in April, and the visitors have not been as dominant in their last few meetings. Benfica won 34-23 against Aguas-Santas on August the twenty-ninth, and 24-31 away at Sporting on the twenty-third.
We had called for the away win before kickoff, giving it sixty-five per cent confidence. And here's the thing — it was not a surprise. Benfica have the deeper squad and tend to handle the pressure of away fixtures better than most.
The result puts Benfica three points clear of the teams around them, though the table is still early. Povoa-de-Varzim face a longer road back from their opening draw. By then, the gap may feel wider.