Women's League Cup: Benfica guarantees qualification to the final

This Wednesday afternoon, Benfica qualified for the League Cup final, after a two-goal draw against Valladares Gaia. Following the 4-0 win over Génésis in the Portuguese Cup at the weekend, Felipa Patão promoted the starting line-up consisting of goalkeeper Carolina Velao, defender Silvia Rebelo and strikers Daniela Silva and Lara Martins.

Having made up for the loss, after the score finished 4-1 in the first leg, the hosts opened the scoring in the fourth minute, through Mafalda Barboz, the 21-year-old midfielder who trained at Benfica.

In response, in the next minute, the Eagles restored parity through Lara Martins, who was making her debut in the League Cup. The 17-year-old young striker has scored five goals this season.

It was 2-1 as close as 17 metres, when Mafalda Barboz's double was blocked by Carolina Filau, who crossed the goal line.

However, the afternoon seems to be smiling at Valladares Jaya. With Jessica Silva on the pitch – replacing Nigerian Ochebe – Lucia Alves turned the ball into her own net from 45 metres. So, in the first half, the hosts were 2-1 ahead and had hopes of at least equalising. Such a “dream” seemed possible, especially when Sidney Parker hit the crossbar.

However, Lucia Alves redeemed herself at the final whistle, when she made it 2-2 in the 90th minute. Thus, with an aggregate of 6-3, Benfica, for the fifth season in a row, reached the end. From the test.

The Eagles won three of the four editions of the League Cup. In the 2021/22 season, SP Braga won the decisive match.

Felipa Patau's team is now awaiting the result of the semi-final match between Racing Power and Sporting.

This Sunday, at 3pm, Benfica resumes league matches, welcoming Ourense. The championship leader has 34 points, four points behind Sporting, which is in second place and in last place in the Champions League.