Benfica finished its matchday in the Portuguese league on Monday night. Only in the closing stages was the home team able to distance itself through goals by Goncalo Ramos and Petar Musa. Boavista, eighth in the league, earlier reversed a lead through Gilberto.
Benfica immediately went on the attack at the start of the match, the first opportunity coming in the first minute with a shot by Rafa Silva. His shot went narrowly wide. Halfway through the first half, Ramos hit a cross into the side netting. The Eagles' best chance to make it 1-0 came just before halftime. Ramos aimed a header at the goalkeeper and the Boavista defense turned the ball away just before the goal line. So no goals in the first half. Benfica had to distance themselves from the Porto team after halftime.
In the second half, the home team had the best chances. First Neres shot at Boavista goalkeeper Bracali, but then the deserved lead came. A header by Rafa Silva was turned away by the visitors' goalie, but a well-followed Gilberto worked the 1-0 into goal. At the opposite end, Boavista suddenly surprised with the equalizer, Yusupha Njie firing a cross past goalkeeper Vlachodimos into the goal. Benfica was not fazed and immediately went in search of another lead. Joao Mario left it open when Benfica was awarded a penalty kick, the midfielder decided to put it within reach of goalkeeper Bracali. n the closing stages, Boavista finally had to give in. Gilberto gave the leather in the sixteen to Goncalo Ramos, who cut out his man beautifully and decided in the far corner. In injury time, substitute Petar Musa recorded the final score, on a pass from Joao Mario, the Croatian headed the 3-1 into goal.
This victory keeps Benfica first in the standings with five points ahead of first pursuer Porto.
Benfica: Odysseas Vlachodimos - Alex Grimaldo, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Gilberto Junior (84' Lucas Verissimo) - Fredrik Aursnes, Chiquinho (90' Joao Pedro Neves), Florentino Luis (46' David Neres), Joao Mario, Rafa Silva (74' Goncalo Guedes) - Goncalo Ramos (84' Petar Musa)
Goals: 55' Gilberto (1-0), 58' Njie (1-1), 82' Ramos (2-1), 92' Musa (3-1)