Meyong magic seals Setúbal joy

By Rui Matos Pereira

Vitória FC recovered from conceding an early goal to defeat holders and SuperLiga champions SL Benfica 2-1 on Sunday and win the Portuguese Cup for the third time.

Benfica strike
Setúbal started strongly, pegging Benfica back with a series of crosses into their penalty area, but it was the Portuguese champions who broke the deadlock on their first foray into their opposition's half.

Simão penalty
Nuno Gomes collected a long pass on the left before picking out attacking midfielder Nuno Assis, who in turn set Brazilian right-winger Geovanni free in the box. The Brazilian international went in alone on his compatriot Moretto, and the goalkeeper brought him down. Benfica captain Simão Sabrosa converted the penalty with a low shot to the right that beat Moretto, despite the keeper guessing the right side.

Rocha own goal
Benfica sat back after the goal and Setúbal took advantage of the space allowed them, drawing level on 25 minutes when Manuel José's low shot was deflected by Benfica centre-half Ricardo Rocha beyond goalkeeper José Moreira.

Meyong goal
Setúbal, who finished tenth in the SuperLiga this season, continued to look dangerous after the goal, particularly in the second half on the counterattack. José Rachão's side eventually took the lead in the 72nd minute, when midfielder Ricardo Chaves's fierce shot was parried by Moreira into the path of Cameroonian striker Albert Meyong, who fired in the rebound.

Unlikely triumph
Benfica pumped the ball forward to strikers Pedro Mantorras and Andrija Delibasic in a desperate bid to take the match into extra-time, but Setúbal held on to secure an unlikely triumph and deny Benfica their first league and cup double since 1984. "Setubal were the better team tactically," Benfica coach Giovanni Trapattoni said.