Answering Braga’s call after their 2-0 defeat of Académica de Coimbra, Benfica humbled Marítimo 5-0 at Estádio dos Barreiros in Funchal, Madeira Islands. With the result, Jorge Jesus’ side regained a piece of the top spot in Liga Portuguesa race, level in points with Braga whilst Marítimo nestles at the ninth spot.

On the surface, a victory by such a margin naturally suggests an overall domination of the winning side, yet that would be incorrect in this contest. Until the opening goal by Benfica, Marítimo had held the high fliers in check with nary an attacking threat to mention and though early in the match, were looking quite capable of staging an improbable upset. Those aspirations collapsed a minute shy of the half-hour as following a series of brilliant stops by goalkeeper Peçanha on Pablo Aimar and Óscar Cardozo, Ángel Di María latched onto the rebound near the right by-line and deftly chipped a cross that Javier Saviola headed to the back of the net. Deflated from falling behind after such as noble start, Marítimo’s evening turned worse moments later when Olberdam was the recipient of a straight red-card. The call apparently for dissension was not only questionable and heavy-handed but effectively put an end to Marítimo’s plans. With the floodgates open, Benfica took full advantage of the situation with Maxi Pereira putting them two goals in front at the thirty-fifth minute, with Ángel Di María once again the architect. The horror story was not quite complete for the hosts as just before the break Marítimo was force to play two men down as Robson was adjudged a penalty and sent off for a handball. Óscar Cardozo confidently struck the ball in from the spot, giving Benfica the hearty 3-0 lead at the break.

To Benfica’s credit, instead of dissecting their wounded hosts they chose the honourable route and turned the second half to nothing more than a run out. Marítimo were quite obviously demoralized and playing two men down saw a victimized by a Roberto Sousa own goal at the fiftieth minute with Luisão adding the fifth marker of the day with twenty minutes left on the clock to bring the match to a final 5-0 score.

Benfica returns to play next Saturday as they welcome Vitória de Guimarães to Estádio da Luz, whilst Marítimo visits Leixões.

Prepared by J. Davies
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