Football United

Benfica won their first match of the Portuguese Liga season, beating Leiria comfortably at the Estádio da Luz. Benfica's coach Ronald Koeman made just one change to the team that won 1-0 in last Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash against Lille, with Brazilian centre-back Anderson replacing the suspended Ricardo Rocha, while Greek midfielder Georgios Karagounis was still sidelined with a leg injury.



Anderson did not take long to impose himself on the match but it was in attack that he enjoyed some early success, reacting first to scoop the ball into the net after a third-minute corner. Leiria could have levelled when Nené's 34 minute shot went wide and Benfica soon made them pay when Nuno Gomes doubled the lead on the stroke of half time. The Portugal striker made it 3-0 just after the hour mark before completing his hat-trick late on.

Benfica coach Ronald Koeman said: "I'm very satisfied with the result and with the effort of my players. We still have a long way to go and there are still plenty of games to be played, but I think we are on the right track."

Benfica – Moreira; Nélson, Luisão, Anderson e Léo; Petit (69’ João Pereira), Manuel Fernandes; Simão (cap.), Geovanni (59’ Beto); Miccoli (77’ Nuno Assis) e Nuno Gomes.

U. Leiria – Fernando, Laranjeiro, João Paulo, Renato, Anderson (67’ Cadú Silva), Alhandra, Kata, Harison (55’ Touré), Nené, Maciel e Paulo César (82’ Ferreira).

Goals: Anderson (3’), Nuno Gomes (45’, 61’ e 85’).

SUPERLIGA

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Porto 4 10
2. Braga 4 10
3. Nacional 4 10
4. Sporting 4 9
5. Belenenses 4 9
...
13. Benfica 4 4

Source: uefa.com, slbenfica.pt