Benfica secured their place in the semifinals of the Portuguese Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Braga, showcasing their strong form as the season progresses. The match, held at the iconic Estádio da Luz, saw the Eagles dominate large parts of the game under the management of Bruno Lage, who has steered the team to seven wins in their last eight matches.
The decisive moment came during the first half when Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis continued his impressive scoring streak. He found the back of the net thanks to his teammates' precise play. Benfica set the tempo early, pressing Braga high and controlling the flow of the game with their attacking movements. Their persistence bore fruit when, in the 27th minute, Casper Tengstedt capitalized on a misplaced pass from Braga's Paulo Oliveira. Tengstedt swiftly laid the ball off to Orkun Kökçü, who then assisted Pavlidis, allowing him to drill home a powerful shot from just inside the box, leaving Braga's goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek helpless.
Despite Benfica's effective attacking display, Braga did well to limit the damage, primarily through Hornicek's heroics between the posts. The Czech goalkeeper was consistently called upon, making a series of impressive saves to deny efforts from players like Kerem Aktürkoglu and Tengstedt. His efforts kept Braga hopeful as they aimed to level the score.
The second half saw Braga adopt a more composed strategy, attempting to reclaim control. They maintained more possession and attempted to apply pressure on Benfica’s defense, but their lack of creativity and finishing ability meant they struggled to create clear-cut chances. Benfica's defensive line was resolute throughout, effectively neutralizing Braga's threats and maintaining their narrow lead.
With the match winding down, Samuel Soares, Benfica's goalkeeper, remained largely untroubled thanks to the solid defensive work by his teammates. Benfica managed the game efficiently, showcasing their tactical discipline and ability to handle pressure, which is particularly promising as they look forward to their upcoming Champions League clash against Barcelona.
This victory also sets the stage for Benfica's next match, where they will face Tirsense, the first fourth-tier team to reach the semifinals of the Portuguese Cup. This matchup is anticipated to be historic, with Tirsense facing one of Portugal’s most storied clubs. While Benfica heads to the semifinals as heavy favorites, they are focused on sustaining their impressive form as they navigate the business end of the season.
Bruno Lage's squad will aim to build on this momentum, bolstered by strong performances like Pavlidis', who has scored 11 goals in his last 10 appearances. The victory not only highlights the team's current strengths but underlines their ambitions as they strive for silverware on multiple fronts this season.