Benfica are the 2022/23 champions of Portugal after beating Santa Clara 3-0 in front of their ecstatic fans at the Estádio da Luz to spark wild celebrations throughout Lisbon that are sure to last long into the early hours.
Needing a win to mathematically make certain of the title but knowing a draw would practically seal the deal, Benfica left nothing to chance as an early goal by Gonçalo Ramos settled any nerves.
Rafa Silva doubled the advantage before the break and Alex Grimaldo completed the scoring from the penalty spot in the second half.
A muggy morning had given way to bright sunshine in the Portuguese capital, which further fuelled a festive atmosphere in a city largely clad in red as Benfica supporters filled the cafes and bars in anticipation of becoming Portuguese champions after three barren seasons.
Festive atmosphere in and around the Estádio da Luz. Benfica host Santa Clara almost certainly needing only a draw to become champions of Portugal 2022/23. pic.twitter.com/7j5nyHnU9n
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) May 27, 2023
The centre of the party was of course in and around Benfica’s Estádio da Luz, and the sell-out crowd played their part in setting the tone by creating a tremendous atmosphere as kick-off approached.
Benfica fans doing their part pic.twitter.com/BICOQQ2bDz
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) May 27, 2023
Despite sitting bottom of the table, Santa Clara had shown a marked improvement in recent weeks, winning two of their last three matches and scoring three goals against Braga in the other one.
However, any sense of jeopardy was quickly snuffed out as Alexander Bah’s excellent cross was headed into the net from close range by Gonçalo Ramos.
Gonçalo Ramos heads Benfica into an early lead and the noise level has notched up another level pic.twitter.com/4x6XxKGpfE
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) May 27, 2023
Rafa Silva scored the second from a deflected shot following a rapid counter-attack, which started when a free kick to the visitors on the edge of the Benfica box went wrong.
The result was never in doubt and from that moment much of the match resembled a training ground exercise, especially after Benfica made it 3-0 on the hour mark after being awarded a penalty.
Spanish left-back Alex Grimaldo, playing his last game in a Benfica shirt, stepped up to the spot. Some whistles rang out around the stadium following the player’s untimely announcement of his departure, but they soon turned to cheers as his shot squirmed under Santa Clara goalkeeper Gabriel Batista and nestled in the back of the net.
Grimaldo could not contain his emotion, taking off and kissing his Benfica shirt in tears.
The next half hour was simply a countdown for the party to begin.
The moment Benfica ended three barren years and were crowned champions of Portugal. pic.twitter.com/dmVxv7DrkU
— Tom Kundert (@PortuGoal1) May 27, 2023
Benfica fans have endured a torrid three years as Porto, Sporting, then Porto again won the league, with the six domestic cups and even the season-opening Super Cups evading the Eagles in that time.
Ironically, the barren spell came amidst copious spending by Benfica, with the club splashing out €100 million on new players in the summer of 2020 – an unprecedented amount on transfer fees in Portugal.
This season felt like a fresh start as club legend Rui Costa began his first campaign as president and his decision to bring in German coach Roger Schmidt proved a masterstroke.
The core of the team comprised players from previous seasons, but it immediately gelled with the likes of Alex Grimaldo, António Silva, João Mário, Florentino Luís, Rafa Silva and Gonçalo Ramos especially all hitting a rich vein of form in the first half of the season, further boosted by the brilliant contribution of new Argentine signing Enzo Fernández.
Schmidt deserves praise for getting his players to adapt to his high-pressing style so quickly and hitting upon a winning tactical set-up that served him well all season.
The German also proved the antithesis to Jorge Jesus in his willingness to play young Portuguese players. The emergence of António Silva and later in the season João Neves and the confirmation of Gonçalo Ramos as a top striker were key factors in Benfica’s success.
Schmidt could hardly have made a better impression in his first season in Portugal. Will next season bring more of the same?
By Tom Kundert, at the Estádio da Luz
Goals:
[1-0] Gonçalo Ramos, 7’
[2-0] Rafa Silva, 28’
[3-0] Grimaldo (pen), 60’
Benfica 3-0 Santa Clara highlights
