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Benfica 4-0 Vorskla Poltava: Eagles Cruise To Victory

The Eagles have put one foot in the Europa League group stage after a convincing win at the Estadio da Luz...

Aug 20, 2009 10:36:11 PM

AT 2009: Ajax - Benfica, Ismaïl Aissati (foto ANP)

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AT 2009: Ajax - Benfica, Ismaïl Aissati (foto ANP)

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SL Benfica 4-0 - Vorskla Poltava Lineups/Stats
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Benfica created their first chance just three minutes into the game as Luisao headed the ball to Saviola in the Ukrainian box but the Argentine's shot went flying over the bar.

Vorskla Poltava responded in the 14th minute, as a cross from the left found Jovan Markoski, who could not keep his header down.

The home side took the lead on 30 minutes, when Angel di Maria latched on to Fabio Coentrao's excellent through ball and sent his shot over goalkeeper Dolganskyi.

Benfica grew in confidence after the goal and could have increased their lead in the 38th minute, as Cardozo headed the ball to Saviola and the former Barcelona star fired with his left foot, forcing Dolganskyi to fly to tip the ball wide of the post.

Two minutes later, Dolganskyi made two more good saves. First, he denied Saviola and then he tipped the ball over the bar after a well-placed shot from Coentrao from 20 yards out.

The Eagles continued their superiority in the second period and doubled their lead on 54 minutes, when Saviola was brought down in the area and Cardozo stepped up confidently to dispatch his spot-kick.

Benfica added a third just three minutes later, when Cardozo did well to hold the ball before spinning and playing a low pass to Saviola, who confidently sent it home.

In the 69th minute, Vorskla Poltava created a chance as Despotvski crossed from the right and Markoski, between two Benfica defenders, headed the ball straight into Quim's hands.

The Portuguese giants found the back of the net for a fourth time 77 minutes into the game, when the ball luckily met the path of Weldon, who was all alone and he slotted home from close range.

Luís Mira, Goal.com

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