Benfica earn Super Cup success

By Hugo Pietra

A second-half goal from Nuno Gomes proved enough to earn Superliga champions SL Benfica the Portuguese Super Cup with a narrow victory over Vitória FC at Estádio Algarve.

Cup revenge
In a match starved of clear-cut chances, Nuno Gomes struck six minutes after the interval, slotting home after Beto's cross had been deflected into his path by Nélson Veríssimo. It was little more than the Portuguese international deserved after an impressive performance and earned Benfica some revenge for the defeat suffered in May's Portuguese Cup final.

Slow start
Setúbal were a shadow of the side that won 2-1 that day and Benfica were quickly into their stride. Nevertheless, almost 30 minutes had gone by when João Pereira's cross created the first chance of the game, but Nuno Gomes' header was superbly saved by the Brazilian goalkeeper Moretto.

Koeman triumph
Nuno Gomes went close again five minutes later, striking a blistering shot from just outside the area that narrowly missed the target. The onus now well in their favour, the Lisbon side finally broke the deadlock on 51 minutes and although Vitória pressed for an equaliser, Benfica held on to earn Ronald Koeman a trophy in his first match at the helm.