Benfica Losing Site of Title as Moreirense Manage A Draw

When it comes to competition, there is no love lost on the field when you are chasing championships and a spot in the Champions League because money trumps love on the pitch even on Valentine's Day. S.L. Benfica, the kings of Portuguese soccer currently sit at fourth place with 38 points which is just two points behind third place Sporting Braga who currently hold the keys to the last spot in the UEFA Champions League in the Liga Zon Sagres. Despite all of this, Benifca was going to try their hardest to try and squeak a win against eighth place stalwarts Moreirense F.C. who were ready to defend their turf against the kings of the big three of Portugal. Both teams were clawing for that first goal, but things began to look bleak for Moreirense when Benfica struck first blood with their 25TH minute goal from Swiss international Haris Seferović. Up this point, Moreirense goalkeeper Mateus Pasinato had been doing his best to stop any chances Benfica had, but Seferović rocketed one right past him to the far post from the halfway point in the box that he just had no chance in stopping. It was exactly what Benfica needed at the time to lift their spirits and put them in control, but as they say in life nothing lasts forever. 

Around the 38TH minute, Moreirense was starting to gain their composure as they started pressuring the Benfica back four and a beautiful onside pass to Walterson was all they needed to catch Benfica off guard as Spanish international Álex Grimaldo just tackled Walterson enough to award Moreirense a penalty. There was no question in the 40TH minute that Yan Matheus, the forward on loan from Brazilian side Palmeiras wasn't missing the penalty as he buried in the back of the net for the equalizer before the end of the first half. Benfica wasn't really themselves for most of the second half as Moreirense were finding more ways to attack their net, but no one could find the back of the net. It wasn't until the latter part of the second half that Benifca found some opportunities all thanks to three second half subs in Pizzi, Luca Waldschmidt, and Pedrinho. Mateus Pasinato proved to be a huge savior for Moreirense as he made some fantastic saves including one that Waldschmidt set up when he found Uruguayan international Darwin Núñez in the box, but Núñez's excellent header was miraculously saved by Pasinato who also serves as my man of the match. The battle would end in a one all draw which was great for Moreirense, but just OK for Benfica who are still on the outside looking in. Only time will tell where Benfica lands in the standings, but they just don't look like the Benfica of old in my opinion and Jorge Jesus has a lot of questions to answer moving forward. However, there is still time left and they are not that far behind.