Ball – The game of the “great” has strengthened Vitoria (La Liga 3)

Five years after the two last faced off in Bonfim, at the time still at the highest levels of Portuguese football, Vitória de Setubal and Belenenses met again at Casa Sadena in a remarkable seven-goal display.

Faced with a meeting of this historic nature, Vitória presented the first half at the level of the old days, and unexpectedly reached a score of 4-0 that helped seal the victory.

After excellent tackles from both goalkeepers, the home team took the lead through a well thought out pass by Andre Santos to Gabriel Lima’s shot into the first corner.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, at 29 minutes, the same pair were out of sight again: André Santos was once again a luxury assistant and released Gabriel Lima, starting right next to the Belenense backline to finish with perfection.

Not long after the match went down 3-0 and again in a great moment of football: David Santos fired from wide, after trying to cut into the visitors’ area on 33 minutes.

Bonfim was celebrating and even more than that, three minutes later, Vitória reached the fourth goal through a precise cross from Diogo Sequeira to Zekinha’s header, stronger and more mobile than the opponent’s defense.

Belenenses still reacted – and curtailed – before the break by Clee, who shot low into the Victorian area to try to cut, in desperation, Lourenco Henriques, but already behind the line. The goal stimulated the Blues, who scored again, almost in the middle of the second half, with another beautiful goal, by Maidana Sambo, in a rotating shot after a directed reception.

The game seemed to restart, but Vitória dispelled doubt two minutes later with Diogo Sequeira’s second assist, now allowing Pedro Pinto – on the edge of offside – to score in the final 5-2.

The victory provided a significant jump in the league table for Vitoria, who now occupies seventh place in the standings, while the defeat did not have serious consequences for Belenenses. The Blues from Restelo entered the field already qualified for the promotion stage, taking advantage of defeats by Caldas and Sporting B, direct opponents in the race for a place in the promotion stage.