On March 8, 2025, Benfica secured a commanding 3-0 victory against Nacional at the Estádio da Luz, showcasing their skills just days before their important Champions League tie against Barcelona.
Benfica struck quickly, with Zeki Amdouni netting the first goal within the first five minutes, assisted by Samuel Dahl. Their momentum grew as Orkun Kökçü converted a penalty later in the first half after Zé Vítor fouled Andrea Belotti inside the box. The Turkish-Dutch midfielder, formerly of Feyenoord, showed composure to bury the ball past Nacional's goalkeeper Lucas França, making it 2-0 for the home side.
Despite Nacional’s attempts to fight back, including gaining their own penalty opportunity when António Silva brought down Chiheb Labidi, they were thwarted by Benfica’s keeper Samuel Soares, who made an impressive save against Brazilian forward Dudu.
Benfica extended their lead to 3-0 just before the final whistle, with Vangelis Pavlidis sealing the match from another penalty after another handball by Zé Vítor. This result places Benfica firmly on equal points with their rivals Sporting CP, as both teams sit atop the Portuguese league with 56 points, though Benfica has one match fewer.
Benfica's defense also displayed resilience throughout the game, successfully limiting Nacional’s scoring opportunities and demonstrating effective management of their lineup. The coach, Bruno Lage, opted to rest key players, including the night’s goal scorers, to preserve their energy for the upcoming clash against Barcelona on March 11.
Having faced Barcelona only days earlier and suffering a narrow 0-1 loss at home, Benfica is eager for redemption on their next visit to Montjuïc.
The match began with high spirits and fast-paced actions, with the stadium echoing the shouts of enthusiastic fans supporting the home team. Benfica’s aggression was clear from the first whistle, with Bruma nearly scoring during the opening exchanges, only to see his shot hit the post.
Throughout the match, Nacional guard Lucas França had moments to shine, making several key saves to keep the scoreline closer than it could have been, including preventing shots from Belotti and Amdouni.
Defensively, Nacional struggled to contain Benfica’s attack, committing fouls which led to two penalty decisions against them. The referee was diligent, reviewing VAR footage for the incidents leading to each penalty call, adding tension to the game.
Despite Nacional's clear attempts at offense, including Dudu’s missed penalty which could have changed the pace of the match, the team from Madeira failed to find rhythm against the relentless Benfica pressure. Djibril Soumaré and Zé Vítor were cautioned by the referee for dangerous plays, underscoring the intensity of the contest.
The victory was not just another three points but also served as a confidence boost for Benfica, positioning them strongly within the title race this season.
Benfica's next challenge will be their Champions League rematch against Barcelona, where they will look to improve upon their earlier performance and aim for greater success on international grounds.
This commanding performance has set high expectations for fans, igniting excitement not just for domestic league aspirations but also for European competition.