Benfica stamped its passport to the round of 16 of the Portuguese Cup. A masterful night from Di María left Estrela da Amadora (7-0) completely stunned and paved the way for the next stage of the competition.
Bruno Lage had said in the pre-game press conference with the Tricolors that he was going to present the best eleven depending on the options he had at his disposal and the truth is that the Reds' coach didn't change his outfit much in relation to what has been usual. The main notes were the starters of Samuel Soares, Rollheiser and Arthur Cabral and the absence of Kaboré from the scoresheet shows that the full-back loaned by City should not last in Luz beyond January.
With doubts regarding the options resolved, some fans were still looking for a place in the Luz stands and Di María was now opening the show in his own name. The world champion attempted a brilliant cross, but the ball was returned by Miguel Lopes and the number 11 didn't stand by and shot with his left foot towards Meixedo's goal.
Three minutes later, Ferro cleared a cross from Bah, but the ball was left for Di María to score a goal that promises to take the world by storm in the coming days. The Argentinian tipped the ball over Léo Cordeiro and shot the ball to make it 2-0. Aursnes put his hands on his head… and it was no wonder. What a great goal!
Di María's solo ended in the 18th minute, when El Fideo closed their repertoire of magic with another great goal, after excellent defensive support and combination with Aursnes. In the middle of this show, Samuel Soares even saved a ball with a goal from Rodrigo Pinho, a striker who has spent time at Benfica on his resume.
The advantage was not extended further for the Eagles in the first half because Meixedo made a beautiful save from Carreras' shot (29') and also because Arthuer Cabral wasted a huge opportunity in the face of the goalkeeper trained at FC Porto, following of a sugary Bah crossing down the right aisle. Before this moment from the Brazilian, Samuel Soares denied Nilton Varela the 3-1, with another stupendous save.
A question of trust
José Faria wasted no time and at the restart of the second half he made three changes in one shot and the Amadora team was very close to reducing the difference, in the 52nd minute, through André Luiz, but, once again, Samuel Soares said he was present and saved the ball from the Brazilian attacker. Short-term sun.
After that moment, the Reds took control of the meeting again and there was a festival of waste by Arthur Cabral. If Di María showed all his confidence in the first half, the Brazilian striker showed complete disbelief in his own abilities, with two consecutive wastes in the face of Meixedo. On the bench, Bruno Lage applauded and asked the fans for the same.
He didn't take advantage of Arthur, he took advantage of Harry Potter of Light. Kerem Akturkoglu. In the 59th minute, following a quick transition started by Arthur Cabral, Di María was not selfish and assisted the number 17 to make it 4-0.
Right after the goal, Bruno Lage took the opportunity to rest some of his players, give rhythm to others and also debut Leandro Santos, a young 19-year-old right-back. And at the feet of two players thrown off the bench, 5-0 was born. Kokçu received it from Samuel Soares and served the confident Amdouni in an exquisite way so that the Swiss striker didn't waste it in Meixedo's face. But it wasn't over yet.
Arhur Cabral, himself, continued on the field at the insistence of the Eagles' coach and responded with two goals in the final stretch. First, an acrobatic shot, in the 87th minute, after a pass from Andreas Schjelderup, and then taking advantage of an incomplete defense by Meixedo with a first shot by Florentino. Just seen!
Man of the match Flashscore: Di María (Benfica)
