Ángel Di María continues so as to add to his legendary standing, enjoying a pivotal function in Benfica’s penalty shootout victory over Sporting Lisbon within the Portuguese League Cup ultimate. The win marks Benfica’s fifth League Cup title and their first since 2016, ending a major drought. Di María’s contributions, together with an help and a profitable penalty within the shootout, have been instrumental in securing the trophy.
Di María’s affect on the sport was instant and decisive. In a blinding show of talent and imaginative and prescient, he weaved by way of 4 defenders in midfield earlier than delivering a wonderfully weighted cross to Andreas Schjelderup, who scored the opening aim for Benfica.
This help marked Di María’s fiftieth help in his two spells with Benfica, including to his outstanding document of 45 targets in 198 appearances for the membership. Within the present season alone, he boasts a formidable 13 targets and seven assists in 26 matches. His return to Benfica in mid-2023, following spells at Manchester United, PSG, and Juventus, has proved extremely profitable.
The League Cup victory is Di María’s third with Benfica, including to his assortment of 1 Portuguese League title and one Portuguese Tremendous Cup. This newest triumph is his thirty sixth profession trophy, equaling the achievements of energetic participant Sergio Busquets and retired legend Ryan Giggs. This outstanding achievement locations him among the many eight most adorned footballers in historical past, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo‘s 35 trophies. Solely Lionel Messi (46), Dani Alves (43), Andrés Iniesta (38), Gerard Piqué (38), and Maxwell (37) have gained extra trophies than the Argentine winger.
Otamendi’s accomplishments: A document for Argentine defenders
Nicolás Otamendi, additionally a key determine in Benfica’s victory and Di María’s teammate, added one other chapter to his spectacular profession. His penalty conversion within the shootout contributed to the staff’s success, extending his personal spectacular trophy haul.
Otamendi’s 26 profession trophies makes him probably the most adorned Argentine defender in historical past, behind solely Lionel Messi, Di María, Lucho González, Carlos Tevez, and Franco Armani. The previous Manchester Metropolis participant, whose trophy cupboard consists of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles, and the Finalissima, continues to show his enduring high quality.
Sporting Lisbon leveled the rating with a late penalty transformed by Viktor Gyökeres, forcing the match right into a dramatic penalty shootout. Di María and Otamendi efficiently transformed their penalties, contributing to Benfica’s eventual victory. The shootout noticed 11 profitable penalties earlier than Florentino Luís’ successful spot-kick and Anatoli Trubin’s save secured the title for Benfica.
Benfica’s subsequent challenges embody a Portuguese Cup match in opposition to Farense, a league sport in opposition to Famalicão, and a extremely anticipated Champions League conflict in opposition to Barcelona. This win will undoubtedly enhance their confidence heading into these very important fixtures.
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