April 26, 2008 5:56 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Benfica Past Belenenses To Move Up

Benfica 2-0 Belenenses

A second half free-kick from Óscar Cardozo confirmed the three points for Benfica in a 2-0 win whose result does not show what happened on the pitch.

Benfica started by far the better side, willing to put some heavy pressure on Belenenses, and the first chances of the game belonged to the Eagles.

On eight minutes, Rui Costa, with an individual play down the middle, moved past Zé Pedro and then Gavilan, but his weak shot had no danger in it and Júlio César made an easy save to deny him.

Seven minutes later, Silas tried to give the visitors the lead, but his powerful left foot shot went over Quim's goal.

Benfica looked dominant, but Belenenses were showing their will to play for the three points, but it was just not enough.

Fernando Chalana's men seemed to step on the pedal from this moment, and produced a very dangerous situation on 27 minutes, when Rui Costa delivered a good cross and Cardozo, with the header, made Júlio César perform a flying save.

It was all Benfica as the Eagles showed no sign of stopping, and in the 41st minute, they took the lead. Cristian Rodríguez's cross from the left reached the area, and with Belenenses unable to send the ball away from danger, Luisão's powerful shot found the net.

Belenenses came out looking strong after the half-time break and could have leveled the match in the 54th minute, but Rafael Bastos' shot hit the post, and in the rebound, he saw the post denying once again the equaliser.

The visitors were the stronger side now, and many were foreseeing their goal. Benfica's coach had to do something about it, and his substitution produced immediate effect. Nuno Gomes made way for Di María in the 63rd minute. The Argentine received the ball in the middle and was fouled near the area. Cardozo, with a powerful left foot shot, converted the free kick and made it 2-0 for the Eagles.

Things did not look good for Belenenses and they got even worse in the 76th minute, when they were reduced to ten men after Hugo Alcântara was sent off for slapping Katsouranis.

On 84 minutes, Rodríguez crossed towards the middle, but Cardozo, with Júlio César completely helpless, was unable to score his second of the game.

One minute before stoppage time, Di María shot from 20 yards out towards the top-right corner of César's goal, but the keeper flew to deny the goal.

Benfica are now temporarily in third place, waiting for the game of Sporting and V. Guimarães.