The Portuguese league kicked off this weekend with a surprising result involving the most Ukrainian-influenced team, Benfica. The home side was held to a 2-2 draw by Académico de Viseu.
Anatoliy Trubin remained on the bench, as he had during preseason matches. Georgiy Sudakov started the game and was active on the pitch, but he did not contribute directly to any goal-scoring opportunities.
Benfica created numerous chances and could have scored more than just two goals. However, defensive lapses proved costly. In the 55th minute, Soares faltered during a corner kick, allowing Pereira to level the score for the first time. Then, in the 67th minute, Clovis punished Benfica again after a ball was played into the penalty area, making it 2-2.
2026-27 Portuguese Championship
Benfica – Académico de Viseu 2:2 (1:0)
Goals: Pavlidis E., 10 (1:0); Pereira R-n, 55 (1:1); Prestiani, 58 (2:1); Clovis, 67 (2:2)
Benfica lineup: Suarez C.; Lenglet; Dahl; Araujo T.; Barrenechea; Sudakov (sheltered, 64); Pavlidis E.; Barreiro L. (Rios, 76); Prestiani (Duran, 82); Bach A. (Dedic A., 82); Silva Rafa (Lukebakio, 76)
Substitutions: Schelderup (from 64); Rios (from 76); Lukebakio (from 76); Dedic A. (from 82); Duran (from 82)
Reserves: Trubin; Jose Neto; Kaminski Ya.; Silva Manuel; Anisio
Yellow cards: Sudakov 25; Araujo T. 45
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