Benfica Defeats Estoril 3-1 in Closed-Door Friendly at Seixal
Benfica defeated Estoril 3-1 in a training match held on Friday morning at the Benfica Campus in Seixal. Anísio Cabral, Claudio Echeverri, and Rafa Silva scored the goals for Marco Silva’s side, while João Carvalho scored the lone goal for the visitors. The match took place during the international break, forcing the technical team to lean heavily on youth players from the B team and under-23 squad to fill out the roster.
Squad Shortages and Youth Call-Ups at Benfica Campus
Marco Silva organized the behind-closed-doors friendly to maintain match fitness for players left out of international duty alongside squad members with limited minutes this season. All three senior goalkeepers—Samuel Soares, Anatoliy Trubin, and Diogo Ferreira—were away with their respective national teams, alongside fourth-choice option Arnas Voitinovicius, who received his first call-up for Lithuania. The medical department also ruled out Enzo Barrenechea, Jaden Umeh, and Alexander Bah due to injuries.
Standout Performances from Echeverri and Returning Faces
Argentine midfielder Claudio Echeverri capitalized on the opportunity, scoring his side’s second goal after Anísio Cabral opened the scoring. Echeverri’s performance was a major positive, given the midfielder has logged only 18 minutes this season following his summer arrival.
Rafa Silva rounded out the scoring for the hosts. On the opposing side, Estoril captain João Carvalho found the net against his boyhood club, returning to the Seixal academy grounds where he developed as a youngster.
Upcoming Liga Portugal Fixtures After the International Break
Benfica returns to competitive action on Sunday, October 11, hosting Vitória de Guimarães at Estádio da Luz for the eighth round of Liga Portugal. Estoril plays its next fixture a day earlier, traveling to face Académico de Viseu.
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