Benfica retain League Cup laurels
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Article summary
Winners against Sporting Clube de Portugal last year, SL Benfica successfully defended their Portuguese League Cup title with a 3-0 victory over FC Porto in Faro.
Article top media content
Article body
SL Benfica successfully defended the Portuguese League Cup thanks to a 3-0 defeat of FC Porto in the showpiece match in Faro.
The Liga leaders and UEFA Europa League quarter-finalists fully deserved their win after dominating the encounter at the Estádio Algarve and demonstrating clinical efficiency in front of goal. That was in evidence after only nine minutes when Jorge Jesus's team opened the scoring, Porto goalkeeper Nuno failing to keep out Ruben Amorim's low shot.
That sparked a determined response from their opponents, but Benfica proved adept at withholding space and doubled their lead just before the break when Carlos Martins struck with an exquisite free-kick from distance. Porto's belief seemed to evaporate after the restart and the Eagles made sure of the silverware in added time through Óscar Cardozo, following good work from Ruben Amorim.