The battle for supremacy was fierce as Sporting clashed with Benfica in the handball derby, but in the end, it was the former that emerged victorious with a 41-36 win, securing their spot in the quarterfinals of the Portugal Cup.
Things started off on the wrong foot for Sporting, with Benfica taking an early lead and stretching it to three goals within the first 10 minutes. However, a swift 5-0 turnaround by Sporting flipped the script, leaving Benfica to play catch-up for the rest of the game.
What’s interesting is that Sporting’s breakthrough came when Benfica opted for an offensive 7×6 lineup. Ricardo Costa’s team had clearly studied the details that contributed to Benfica’s win in their last meeting and used that knowledge to their advantage. Despite Gustavo Capdeville’s impressive performance in goal, Sporting managed to capitalize on the opportunity.
With the lead and more experience under their belt, Sporting dictated the pace of the game, exploiting Benfica’s defense with quick counterattacks.
Key Players
One player who stood out was Salvador Salvador, the Sporting captain who missed the national team’s games due to physical limitations. He made a stunning comeback, scoring 10 goals and becoming the top scorer of the match.
This win is a testament to Sporting’s resilience and strategic gameplay. As the team looks to the next stage of the competition, they’ll be relying on their solid defense and rapid counterattacks to outmaneuver their opponents. With players like Salvador Salvador in top form, they’re a force to be reckoned with.