Benfica left fans in a frenzy by delivering a stunning performance in the Youth League, where they thrashed AZ Alkmaar 6-2. This result not only served as revenge for last season’s elimination against the same opponent but also secured the passage of Vítor Vinha’s team to the quarter-finals of the competition, joining Sporting in pursuit of the coveted trophy.
From the opening whistle, the red team was dominant and incisive. Just 2 minutes in, a pinpoint cross from Federico Coletta found Francisco Silva, who, like an eagle in flight, headed the ball to open the scoring. Benfica’s offensive fluidity, with quick passes and disorienting movements, left AZ bewildered, and the second goal soon followed. Miguel Figueiredo assisted Daniel Bajaqui, the young U-17 World Champion, who crossed for Jaden Umeh, allowing him to extend the lead in the 20th minute.
The Benfica was unstoppable. Umeh, always a threat, attempted to double his tally, but saw his shot blocked, falling to Francisco Silva, who did not hesitate to score again in the 24th minute, demonstrating impressive clinical efficiency. The AZ, in turn, limited themselves to sporadic reactions; their best moment came when Kovács attempted a lob from midfield, but was denied by a spectacular save from Leonardo Lopes. However, AZ managed to reduce the deficit in the 26th minute when Tycho de Wit was fouled in the box, a penalty that Kovács converted, bringing a glimmer of hope to the sparse 20 fans present.
However, the joy of the Dutch team was short-lived. Francisco Silva, always in the right place, completed an impressive hat trick in the 38th minute, putting the score at 4-1 before halftime. AZ seemed to have accepted defeat, returning from the locker room without the necessary drive. After a shot from Jaden Umeh, the Irishman assisted Gonçalo Moreira, who in the 58th minute increased the tally to a staggering 5-1, maintaining his position as one of the top scorers in the competition with 9 goals.
The Benfica machine showed no signs of slowing down; Miguel Figueiredo, always present, sealed the rout in the 65th minute with a goal from a corner. The Benfica, with a total of 6 goals in just 63 minutes, displayed absolute dominance that promises to whet the appetite for what is still to come in the Youth League.
However, the only light in the darkness for AZ was Kovács, who scored in the 75th minute, reducing the humiliation with a placed shot. Despite this, Benfica had already secured their place in the quarter-finals, a stage they had not reached since winning the title in 2021/22. The next challenge will be against Inter Milan in Italy, on March 17 or 18, but Gonçalo Moreira will not be able to participate, as he has accumulated a third yellow card and will be suspended.
The performance of Benfica not only boosts the team’s morale but also creates high expectations for the future in the competition. What more can this young Benfica talent present? The answer is yet to come, but one thing is certain: fans are eager for more!
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