In the end, it was league leaders Benfica who had a comfortable 3-0 victory over reigning champions FC Porto at the Algarve Stadium last Sunday in the Carlsberg League Cup Final.
Porto had two early chances but were denied by Quim in the Benfica goal. With only nine minutes on the clock, Benfica took the lead when Rúben Amorim’s long range shot squirmed through the hands of keeper Nuno – a disastrous mistake from which Porto never recovered.
The Lisbon side increased their lead just prior to half-time when Carlos Martins’ 30 metres free-kick flew into the net. Bruno Alves (Porto) and Pablo Aimar (Benfica) saw yellow as tempers flared at the end of a combative 45 minutes. Benfica controlled the second half and completed a comprehensive victory when Óscar Cordozo netted after good work by ‘Man of the Match’ Rúben Amorim and Saviola.
This was Benfica’s second successful League Cup final victory and augers well for their upcoming UEFA Europa Cup quarter-final games against Liverpool (last night Thursday) in the Stadium of Light (Lisbon) and on April 8 at Anfield.
