Benfica Defeats Estrela da Amadora in Five-Goal Thriller

Benfica secured a dramatic 3-2 victory against Estrela da Amadora at Estádio José Gomes in the Reboleira, keeping the pressure on league leaders FC Porto during the 11th round of the I Liga. The visiting squad needed a stoppage-time goal from Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis to capture all three points after blowing a two-goal advantage earlier in the match.

Manager Marco Silva adjusted his starting lineup following a European fixture against Lech Poznań, retaining only Tomás Araújo, Claudio Echeverri, Georgiy Sudakov, and Rafa Silva, while Fredrik Aursnes sat out with a thigh injury. Despite the heavy rotation, the visitors took control early in the encounter.

Gianluca Prestianni opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a curling right-footed strike from outside the box following a build-up with Echeverri. Benfica carried the narrow advantage into halftime, but the home side responded immediately after the break when Lovro Zvonarek equalized in the 48th minute after receiving assistance from Rafa Soares.

The Eagles regained the lead in the 68th minute when an attempted cross by Rafa Silva deflected off defender Bernardo Schappo and into his own net. However, Estrela da Amadora fought back once again in the 76th minute. Joan Jordán delivered a free-kick into the penalty area, allowing Leandro Antonetti to outjump goalkeeper Samuel Soares and head home to make it 2-2.

As the match neared its conclusion, both sides pushed for a winner. Portuguese midfielder João Palhinha threatened for Benfica with a header that hit the side netting, and late pressure eventually earned the visitors a corner kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Andreas Schjelderup delivered the decisive cross into the box, allowing Pavlidis to convert his 11th league goal of the season and seal the 3-2 triumph.

Speaking to the press after the final whistle, Marco Silva praised his players' determination while expressing concern over defensive lapses. "I congratulated the players for the great spirit they showed until the last minute," the manager stated, adding that the team still has multiple aspects to improve regarding defensive transitions after the interval.

Meanwhile, Estrela coach Pepa expressed pride in his team's performance despite the heartbreaking late defeat. The loss leaves the home side still searching for a victory in the championship, while Benfica celebrates its eighth consecutive win across all competitions, lifting their total to 28 points in the domestic standings.