Benfica, the reigning five-time champions, delivered a truly dominant performance, leaving no doubt about their class against Damaiense. An 8-0 victory was the final tally, a scoreline that perfectly captured the wide gap between the two sides on the pitch. It was a day where the champions played like champions, making sure every moment counted.
The match unfolded as a one-sided affair right from the opening whistle. Cristina MartÃn-Prieto wasted no time, putting Benfica ahead just five minutes in. Soon after, Chandra Davidson found the net for the second goal, and then Carole Costa stepped up to convert a penalty. That spot-kick came after a blatant foul by LÃcia Cruz on Lúcia Alves, a play that not only led to a goal but also saw Damaiense’s LÃcia Cruz sent off, leaving the visitors with only ten players. Before the first half concluded, Anna Gasper added another, making it 4-0 at the break.
The second half began with Benfica still hungry for goals. MartÃn-Prieto nearly added to her tally, striking the post. Diana Silva, who had just come on at halftime, almost scored with her very first touch, also hitting the woodwork. But the fifth goal wasn’t far behind, arriving in the 47th minute. Benfica’s attacking flow was relentless, and more goals seemed to appear naturally. It was a day for stars to shine brightly. Carole Costa, Diana Silva, and MartÃn-Prieto each netted twice, showcasing their scoring prowess. Marit Lund proved to be an assist machine, setting up four goals throughout the game. There was also a heartwarming return: Pauleta stepped back onto the field after recovering from a serious injury, a welcome sight for the team and its supporters.