Ángel Di María and Petar Musa on target as Benfica beat Porto 2-0 in the Super Cup | OneFootball

Benfica earned early bragging rights in Portugal after a beating Porto 2-0 in the Super Cup.

The Dragons started stronger at Estádio Municipal de Aveiro, but they failed to take their chances as the first half ended level.

The Eagles eventually got on top, a moment of class from Ángel Di María putting them ahead in the 61st minute. Substitute Petar Musa started and finished a move with Rafa seven minutes later with Porto unable to find a wa back.

The fiesty clash ended with 12 yellow cards and one straight red after Pepe was sent off for kicking David Jurásek.

Sergio Conceição earned his moment in the spotlight, refusing to leave the pitch for four minutes after receiving yet another red card for verbal abuse.

Porto push forward

It was an explosive start in Aveiro, Porto launching the ball forward from kickoff with Galeno picking it up and shooting into the side netting.

The winger continued to look lively with a shot deflected wide, Pepê Aquino then playing a perfect pass for Mehdi Taremi who beat the offside trap but failed to test Diogo Costa.

Otávio couldn't connect cleanly on a cross as the Dragons continued to create all the chances.

Mihailo Ristić and João Mário were booked in quick succession before Mário tried his luck from distance, the Eagles finding it hard to combine in the attacking third.

Orkun Kökçü fired a weak shot at the Portuguese goalkeeper before becoming the third player booked after a clumsy challenge on Taremi.

Ángel Di María was trying hard to create opportunities as the tide began to turn, Pepe booked for bringing down the lively Rafa Silva.

Danny Namaso couldn't direct Otávio 's corner on target, referee Luís Godinho showing no signs of slowing down with the cards as Alexander Bah and Pepê were booked before alf-time.

Benfica the better team

Roger Schmidt made two changes at the break, David Jurásek and Petar Musa replacing Ristić and João Mário.

Rafa fired into the side netting before Joäo Neves became the eighth player booked, the 18-year-old fortunate to escape a second booking seconds later which saw Stephen Eustáquio booked for protesting.

Di María was continually drifting inside to get into scoring situations, shooting straight at Costa before being presented with another chance in the 61st minute.

One-two punch

Pepê's loose pass picked out by Kökçü, the €25m signing spotting the World Cup winner who took a classy touch and curled the ball into the bottom corner.

Benfica doubled their advantage in the 68th minute. Musa won a duel with Pepe which allowed Rafa to break clear, size up his options and retiurn the favour for the Croatian striker who slotted the ball past Costa.

Benfica were passing the ball with confidence and showing some swagger. Fredrik Aursnes broke clear, his shot blocked before Di María volleyed over the bar.

Sergio Conceição made two changes in the 81st minute when Gonçalo Borges and Fran Navarro replaced Zaidu Sanusi and Taremi, Navarro immediately seeing two shots blocked by Nicolás Otamendi.

Rafa went close to getting on the score sheet in the 87th minute when his personal battle against Pepe continued, the forward cutting inside and seeing his shot deflect off the defender and graze the outside of the post.

Late drama

Any chance Porto had were buried in the 89th minute when Pepe was sent off.

The frustrated defender kicked Jurásek in the back of the calf and eventually received a straight red card after Godinho watched replays on the touchline. The 40-year-old refused to go quietly, defiantly displaying his jersey to the Benfica supporters on his way to the locker room.

Galeno fired a rocket into the top corner two minutes into added time but the grandstand finish wasn’t to be, Borges ruled to have handled the ball in the buildup.

Diogo Costa made two sharp saves to deny Chiquinho and Musa, but there was more drama to come and it wouldn't occur on the pitch.

Sergio Conceição received a red card for abuse but refused to leave the pitch, Iván Marcano attempting to talk sense into his manager who wouldn’t budge.

The Porto manager eventually left the field of play after four minutes of protestations and getting his wish of a face-to-face confrontation with Godinho, an important chance to intimidate the referee which might pay dividends later in the season.

Analysis

In the end it was a moment of class from Ángel Di María that unlocked the door. He still has the positional awareness and skill that makes him an elite player, the 35-year-old sure to be a match winner on many more occasions this season.

Petar Musa scored to make a strong case to be the starting striker after Gonçalo Ramos’ move to Paris Saint-Germain. That would allow Rafa to drop into his preferred #10 spot where Aursnes was largely ineffective.

Porto started well in Aveiro but couldn’t press home their advantage. It was difficult for both teams to build any momentum due to the nature of the game where fouls and cards were frequent interruptions.

Pepe endured a difficult evening in Aveiro. The elder statesman struggled to keep up with Rafa, was outmuscled by Musa in the build up to Benfica’s second goal and was sent off after a momentary brain explosion.

Sérgio Conceição might not wait too long before bringing Nico González and Fran Navarro into the starting side. Time will tell how long 36-year-old Iván Marcano and 40-year-old Pepe can compete in central defence at the highest level.

Benfica will enjoy bragging rights for the time being, both clubs likely to be fighting side by side for the title in the 2023/24 Primeira Liga that starts on Friday.

I have said enough about off-field behaviour in Portugal from managers, assistants, players and club officials. Unless there are serious consequences, it will simply continue.

By