Benfica claim fourth Portuguese League Cup
Saturday, April 14, 2012
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Javier Saviola came off the bench to score the winner as SL Benfica lifted a fourth consecutive Portuguese League Cup following a 2-1 success against Gil Vicente FC in Coimbra.
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SL Benfica experienced Portuguese League Cup success for the fourth time in five years courtesy of a 2-1 win against Gil Vicente FC in Coimbra.
Jorge Jesus's side knew they were in for a tough evening after watching Gil Vicente eliminate Sporting Clube de Portugal and SC Braga in previous rounds. However, the Eagles took the lead on the half-hour when Rodrigo found the net following a sublime cross by Bruno César.
Gil Vicente showed enterprise on the counter and were rewarded for their efforts when José Luís Mendes Andrade's acrobatic effort drew the teams level. But the night belonged to Javier Saviola, the diminutive Argentinian coming off the bench to steer Axel Witsel's parried shot into an unguarded net and clinch the cup for Benfica.
The Lisbon giants are now determined to secure a domestic double but currently lie second in the Liga, three points shy of leaders FC Porto.
