Masters Futsal: Benfica's categorical victory over the European champion [photo gallery]

Benfica clearly beat Mallorca Palma Futsal 5-1, with 3-0 at half-time, in the opening game of the third round of the International Masters Futsal 2023, against a good home in Portimão with around 700 fans – many young people in the stands . Highlight for the encore of Afonso and Carlinhos.

Mário Silva's men reacted well to Thursday's defeat against Kairat and, with a strong and competent entry into the field, indisputably added the three points.

With this result, expectations are running high for this Saturday's final match, between Kairat and SC Braga, starting at 18 pm, and which will actually decide... the big winner of the tournament. For the Kazakh champion, a draw is enough, for the Minho team, only the triumph matters to guarantee the trophy.

A note on the shoot-out on penalties – it takes place at the end of all matches as a possible criterion to be applied to define the classification – which Benfica also won by… 16-15! Yes, it took 34 kicks from the six-metre mark, three of which failed. Curious and unusual.

In the initial choices, coach Mário Silva – Chiskala, Bruno Cintra and Silvestre out, as well as Lúcio, who was representing the U19 Selection – kept André Sousa in goal, but bet on Jacaré as a pivot, alongside Bruno Coelho, Afonso Jesus and Arthur.

On the side of the defending European champion, Vadillo today had Bárron in goal – Luan absent for private reasons – who joined Chaguinha, Rivillos, Marcelo and Tayebi in the starting five. Villian and Moslem, absent on Wednesday in the draw against SC Braga, were on the bench but were not used.

After a first opportunity by Arthur, Benfica opened the scoring after just two minutes, with the goalkeeper up. André Sousa progresses in the central zone and shoots for Afonso's opportune deflection to the far post.

Photo: MIguel Bessa | Record International Masters Futsal

Strong entry by the national runner-up, reacting well to the setback and less consistent performance in his Masters debut, and a minute later he was even more comfortable with the second goal. Jacaré stretches low to the left, steps in threatening a combination, steps back in with his eyes on various solutions and ends up deciding to turn inside and finish with a cross to the bottom of the net. Well crafted.

At a disadvantage on the scoreboard, Palma assumed higher marking lines, started to be more pressing in defense, and Bruno Gomes and Tayebi gave more depth, always at 3:1.

Benfica managed the lead on the scoreboard, always with fine-tuned rigor, lowered the defensive lines – while maintaining individualized defense, closed the central corridor, grouped the players, and Martim and Léo Gugiel rotated in goal.

At 11 minutes comes the third goal of the “red” team. Stealing the ball in the middle, a simple and direct counterattack, Afonso accelerates through the middle, combing the ball, timing adjusted to face Bárron at the right distance, and finishing with a “beret”, crossed, with class.

At 14 minutes, Palma reduced in a well-designed collective move, through Fabinho, to dodge the first on the opposite wing.

After the break, Mário Silva always kept Léo Gugiel as goalkeeper, the match was intense and competitive, but more controlled, with the clock running, fewer opportunities, Benfica “running” the game and the rhythms.

In the 29th minute, Carlinhos “killed” the game with the fourth goal, finishing with quality another counterattack.

The Spanish formation, even more demoralized, hit the fifth foul in the 33rd minute and were forced to lower their aggression and reduce the pressure in the duels.

Carlinhos also made the fifth foul in the 36th minute and put the teams on an equal footing in the physical management of the game.

In the 37th minute, a foul by Rocha on Chaguinha took Rómulo to the 10-metre mark. Martim entered to defend, and he did defend, definitively burying Palma's hopes.

A minute later, in the execution of an out, the left-handed Carlinhos closed the marker, in a first shot, outside in approach, with his right foot.

The game is over, but not the emotion. In penalties – there is a tiebreaker in this way at the end of all matches -, Benfica also won by… 16-15. It took 34 kicks from the six meter mark. A very rare event in the history of the sport.

Word to coaches:

Mario Silva:
“Going in to get help. The difference between the last game and this one was the rigor we had in our actions. We were more rigorous, more demanding in our tasks, more disciplined and responsible.” Afonso Jesus:
“Today we made better use of the opportunities we had. We were a more consistent team attacking and defending. We got closer to what our ideas are and the Benfica we want for this season.”António Vadillo:
“We started the match badly, we had difficulties with Benfica's pivot game. After the 2-0 score we created a few chances, but after the 3-0 score we had situations where we looked like little boys next to the Benfica players. The second half was more evenly matched, but Palma felt a little defeated and this is a problem that we have to solve.”

Chaguinha:
“We started the game badly and when you concede three goals in the first few minutes (from a team like Benfica), it's very difficult to come back. We came in a little confused. We have to give credit to Benfica.”