Benfica 4-0 Belenenses: Durán Debut Goal Powers Derby Rout After European Exit
LISBON, July 24 (Reuters) – Benfica crushed local rivals Belenenses 4-0 on Saturday, a dominant derby response to their midweek European elimination. Striker Durán scored on his debut. The victory, covered live by Record, provided instant relief for a squad under pressure.
Elsewhere, a Portuguese beach volleyball duo advanced to the quarterfinals of the Shangluo Challenge, offering a parallel note of national success.
Confirmed Lineup: Manager’s Tactical Shift
Manager Roger Schmidt named a strong eleven for the derby, as reported by A Bola (Eis o onze do Benfica para o dérbi com o Belenenses). Key changes included a three-man midfield to control possession. Youngster João Neves retained his place. Belenenses, struggling in the bottom half, fielded a defensive 4-4-2.
| Position | Benfica XI | Belenenses XI (Probable) |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Trubin | Fonseca |
| Defence | Bah, A. Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes | Kaboré, Chaby, Cafú Phete, Lima |
| Midfield | Neves, Kokçu, João Mário | Teixeira, Ramires |
| Attack | Di María, Durán, Rafa | Cardoso, Ali |
Match Highlights: Goleada Seals Emphatic Win
Benfica scored twice in the first 20 minutes. Di María opened from a free kick. Kokçu doubled the lead from a corner. Belenenses offered little in attack. The second half was one-sided.
Durán, a deadline-day signing, scored the third goal in the 67th minute. He converted a low cross from Rafa. Rafa added a fourth. The 4-0 scoreline reflected total dominance. Record’s live feed (Benfica-Belenenses, em direto) noted the Estadio da Luz crowd chanting Durán’s name.
Key Tactical Analysis: Pressing and Set Pieces
Benfica’s high press forced three first-half turnovers in Belenenses’ half. The team completed 82% of passes in the final third. Set pieces were decisive: two goals came from dead-ball situations. Belenenses failed to register a shot on target.
Durán’s movement created space for wide players. Di María recorded two assists. The tactical shift to a 4-3-3 neutralized Belenenses’ counter-attacking threat.
Fan & Media Reaction: Emotional Whiplash
Social media exploded with relief. “From heartbreak to derby euphoria in 72 hours,” a fan wrote. Pundits praised the squad’s mental resilience. The unrelated beach volleyball duo’s progress in Shangluo provided a side note of Portuguese sporting spirit.
Looking Ahead: Momentum for League and Cup
The win lifts Benfica to 2nd place. Next up is a cup tie against a lower-league opponent. Squad rotation is likely. Durán’s performance will push for a starting role. Confidence is restored.
Follow Record’s live coverage for future fixtures.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Who scored for Benfica in the 4-0 win over Belenenses?
- A: Di María opened the scoring from a free kick, Kokçu doubled the lead from a corner, Durán scored on his debut in the 67th minute, and Rafa added a fourth.
- Q: What tactical changes did Benfica manager Roger Schmidt make for the derby?
- A: Schmidt named a strong eleven with a three-man midfield to control possession, and retained youngster João Neves in the starting lineup.
- Q: How did Benfica respond to their midweek European elimination?
- A: Benfica delivered a dominant 4-0 derby victory over Belenenses, providing instant relief for the squad under pressure and showcasing a strong performance from debutant Durán.
Extended Reading
This report incorporates lineup data from A Bola (Eis o onze do Benfica), live match coverage from Record (Benfica-Belenenses, em direto), and the unrelated beach volleyball update from Sapo (Dupla portuguesa nos quartos de final do Challenge de Shangluo de voleibol de praia).