On Thursday, Porto reached the semi-finals of the Roller Hockey Champions League, by defeating Benfica, 4-2, in the eighth final held in Viana do Castelo.
In the match that started this stage of the competition, it was the Dragons who opened the scoring, after just three minutes, thanks to a penalty kick converted by Gonzalo Alves.
However, the red response did not take long: after six minutes, Pablo Alvarez restored parity on the scoreboard.
The first half was “lukewarm”, and until the end the highlight was a missed free kick by Gonzalo Alves, which could have awarded 2-1 to FC Porto. This was, in fact, a harbinger of what was to come.
Game movie.
Benfica were the first to miss a direct free kick, by Nicolia, but shortly afterwards Carlo Di Benedetto followed in the opposition’s footsteps, before Goncalo Alves did the same.
With nine minutes remaining, the Eagles had a fantastic chance to take the lead for the first time in the game, but Diogo Rafael allowed Xavi Mali to shine again, this time with a penalty save.
And those who do not register … suffer. And folding.
Carlo Di Benedetto put the Whites ahead six minutes from time, before Gonzalo Alves made it 3-1 in the 47th minute. In the midfield, imagine, he was back in direct free defense.
Benfica still went down with just over two minutes to play, by Nel Roca, but with ten seconds left, with the opposition already poised to attack, Rafa “killed” the equalizer for the Dragons.
Thus, FC Porto qualifies for the semi-finals of the Roller Hockey Champions League: it is waiting for Óquei de Barcelos or Barcelona in that round.
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:strip_icc()/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_59edd422c0c84a879bd37670ae4f538a/internal_photos/bs/2023/g/T/zeXyelTcCWWHEtKQcPeA/332354b0ffeda3edc46924082daf5b96.jpg "PBH announces the return of the expanded meningitis C vaccination starting Monday | Minas Gerais")
