Benfica crowned Portuguese women’s football tetracampeão

In a match with a full house (2,700 spectators), team captain Carole Costa scored the goals for ‘águias’ at 39 and 90+1 minutes, both from penalty kicks, breaking the tie achieved by Lúcia Lobato at 85, putting Benfica’s title defense at risk.

Entering the field with a two-point lead over rival Sporting and knowing they only depended on themselves to win the title, Benfica did what was necessary not to hinge on the outcome of the ‘leonino’ team, which ended up winning (2-0) at Damaiense’s home, a result that did not prevent Benfica’s celebrations after the game.

Relying only on themselves to become champions, Benfica took the game from the initial whistle, creating several opportunities to open the scoring. During intense pressure moments, Racing Power’s goalkeeper Michaely Bihina made crucial saves.

Kika Narareth, with dangerous shots at three and 20 minutes, and Chandra Davidson at 30, targeted the opposing goal but failed to beat the Cameroonian keeper, only managing to concede a goal to the ‘águias’ just before halftime.

Before the converted penalty at 39 minutes by captain Carole Costa, which brought the initial burst of joy at Seixal, referee Sara Alves, who awarded a foul by Babi on Andreia Faria, confirmed her decision after reviewing the play at the VAR’s request.

Upon resuming play at 46 minutes, Benfica celebrated again as Chandra Davidson put the ball in the net, but the goal was disallowed due to the ‘encarnada’ player being offside, after Sara Alves consulted the VAR.

Trailing on the scoreboard and with nothing to lose, Racing Power began to push up the field and, in one of those moments, at 66 minutes, benefited from a free-kick in front of goal that didn’t result in a goal as Gerda Konst’s shot narrowly missed the left post of Lena Pauels’ goal.

After the warning, Racing Power scored through Lúcia Lobato at 85 minutes. Following a free-kick from very far from the penalty area, the defense appeared at the far post and tapped in the equalizer, jeopardizing the national title conquest.

The response from ‘águias’ was swift, and after a foul on Lúcia Alves inside the box, the host team was awarded a penalty to regain the lead on the scoreboard. At 90+1 minutes, Carole Costa took on the responsibility and scored her second goal of the match, securing victory and the tetracampeonato for Benfica.

Match at Benfica Campus in Seixal.

Benfica – Racing Power, 2-1

Halftime: 1-0

Scorers:

1-0, Carole Costa, 39 minutes (penalty kick).

1-1, Lúcia Lobato, 85.

2-1, Carole Costa, 90+1 (penalty kick).

Teams:

– Benfica: Lena Pauels, Carole Costa, Ana Seiça, Christy Ucheibe, Lúcia Alves (Catarina Amado, 89), Andreia Norton (Marie Alidou, 77), Kika Nazareth (Pauleta, 90+8), Anna Gasper, Andreia Faria, Nycole Raysla, and Chandra Davidson.

(Subs: Rute Costa, Catarina Amado, Sílvia Rebelo, Laís Araújo, Paige Almendariz, Pauleta, Marie Alidou, Jéssica Silva, and Marta Cintra).

Coach: Filipa Patão.

– Racing Power: Michaely Bihina, Babi, Beatriz Rodrigues, Jenna Tivnan (Maria Pinto, 81), Lucia Lobato, Sini Laaksonen, Vanessa Marques (Érica Bispo, 70), Gerda Konst, Mercy Idoko, Jenny Vetter (Inês Gonçalves, 70), and Evy Pereira (Mariana Campino, 70).

(Subs: Irís Silva, Mariana Campino, Beatriz Barreiras, Catarina Realista, Beatriz Sebastião, Sara Pinto, Maria Pinto, Érica Bispo, and Inês Gonçalves).

Coach: João Marques.

Referee: Sara Alves (AF Porto).

Disciplinary action: Yellow card for Jenna Tivnan (78).

Attendance: 2,700 spectators.