Benfica Defeats Gil Vicente 4-1 to Reach League Cup Final Four

Benfica secured its place in the League Cup final four by defeating Gil Vicente 4-1 in the quarterfinals at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. The home side utilized a standout performance from forward Lukebakio, who scored twice, alongside goals from Sudakov and Jhon Durán to comfortably advance in the competition.

The match remained balanced in the opening stages as the visitors from Barcelos maintained an organized defensive shape. However, the deadlock broke in the 36th minute when Lukebakio found the back of the net with a first-time shot from the edge of the area. Just four minutes later, Sudakov doubled the lead with a powerful strike, sending Benfica into halftime with a 2-0 advantage.

Gil Vicente attempted to mount a comeback shortly after the interval. Lukebakio secured his second goal of the night in the 54th minute with an acrobatic effort, but Andreas Lausen immediately answered for the visitors two minutes later with a long-range strike that beat the goalkeeper and hit the top corner.

Despite the brief spark from Gil Vicente, Benfica maintained control of the tempo. Jhon Durán capped off the scoring in the 81st minute, converting a calm finish following an assist from Rafa to seal the 4-1 victory and end the visitors' run in the tournament.

Following the match, Benfica manager Marco Silva addressed the media regarding the controversy surrounding Jhon Durán's eligibility and recent reversal of a red card. Silva stated that he understood the frustration voiced by Gil Vicente coach Luís Pinto, but emphasized that the club had to act once it became clear the player had done nothing wrong.

"All this noise was created because the player should not have been sent off," Silva remarked during his flash interview, defending the club's decision to utilize the forward. "If we see our player unfairly expelled, Benfica cannot stay silent."

Gil Vicente defender Ricardo Esgaio reflected on the elimination, noting that small moments determined the outcome of the match. "We tried to impose our play, but Benfica had the fortune of the game," Esgaio said, while praising his team's commitment despite the heavy defeat.

With this victory, Benfica advances to the final four scheduled for early January in Leiria, where they will face FC Porto. The other semifinal matchup will feature Sporting against Famalicão, as teams vie for the trophy previously won by Vitória de Guimarães.