SL Benfica progress after beating Reus Deportiu on penalties

A very dynamic match right from the first minute, with SL Benfica trying to live up to their status as favourites, playing in front of a completely sold-out stand reserved for the Eagles’ supporters. And spurred on by the fans’ support, the first goal of the match was not long in coming, scored by Benfica’s José Miranda, who picked up speed and struck the ball with great force, leaving goalkeeper Ballart with no chance. Reus managed to get their defensive marking right and, despite Benfica’s greater dominance, the score remained unchanged until half-time. The second half began at a slower pace, with both teams playing further from their own goals. It was Reus’s turn to step up the intensity and pace in search of an equaliser, but Benfica still created the best chances, forcing goalkeeper Ballart into some excellent saves. But Reus’s efforts were to be rewarded. Benfica reached their 10th foul and from the resulting free-kick, Martí Casas equalised. The game came to life and gained new energy from that point on. Roberto di Benedetto picked up the ball and set up Gonçalo Pinto for the 2-1, with a precise deflection at the near post. Reus did not give up and, with a tricky shot that Conti Acevedo failed to see coming, Marc Julià levelled the match once again. 2-2 with six minutes to go and anxiety gripped the arena, leaving everything to play for in the final stages. Reus also picked up their 10th foul and it was Pau Bargalló’s turn to try and regain the lead from a direct free-kick, but the Catalan missed and the match headed towards the end of normal time with the score tied at 2-2. In extra time, Zé Miranda had a direct free-kick just after the five-minute mark, but he too failed to beat Ballart. The Eagles were giving it their all, but Reus were blocking the paths to goal, thanks to a superb display from their goalkeeper. And with the game tied, the 60 minutes came to an end, taking the decision to penalties. What they said: Edu Castro, SL Benfica coach “Reus are an incredible team; they only lost 2-1 away to Porto in the group stage. They defend extremely well, never let themselves be out of the game, and found the right pressure points. This is the Champions League – it’s not easy at all. The pressure… there are no favourites here; we have to stay in the game, whether in normal time or on penalties. They played a great game, but so did we, and we’re moving on.” Joan Salvat, Reus Deportiu coach “Congratulations to SL Benfica; they played a great game and I wish them all the best. Apart from the goal we conceded in the fifth minute, everything else was very well organised, forcing Benfica to play against their better judgement. We have a very young team, developed here at home, and they showed great character. With the resources we have – which aren’t the same as Benfica’s – we managed to take the game to penalties and believed in ourselves right to the end.”  

SL Benfica, 2 – Reus Deportiu, 2* Match 2 – Quarter-finals of the WSE Champions League Final Four 2024/2025 Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 10.00 pm, Dr. Mário Mexia Multisport Pavilion Referees: Filippo Fronte (ITA), Marco Rondina (ITA) and Ruben Fernández (ESP) SL Benfica – Conti Acevedo; Nil Roca, Roberto di Benedetto, Zé Miranda and João Rodrigues Substitutes – Pedro Henriques (c), Lucas Ordóñez, Pau Bargalló, Gonçalo Pinto, Viti Manager: Edu Castro Reus Deportiu – Càndi Ballart; Maxi Oruste, Martí Casas, Marc Julià and Joan Salvat (c) Substitutes – Nil Viña, Diego Rojas, Guillem Jansà, Carles Casas, Pol Martínez Manager: Jordi García Goals: 1-0 by Zé Miranda (5’); 1-1 by Martí Casas (42’); 2-1 by Gonçalo Pinto (43’); 2-2 by Marc Julià (44’) At half-time: 1-0 Cards: Yellow: Marc Julià (33’), Nil Roca (47); Conti Acevedo (penalties) Blue: Carles Casas (15’) Penalty shoot-out: 2-3 by Guillem Jansá; João Rodrigues missed; Martí Casas missed; Nil Roca missed; Jan Salvat missed; 3-3 by Viti; Max Oruste missed; Pau Bargalló missed; Marc Julià missed; Zé Miranda missed; Guillem Jansà missed; 4-3 by João Rodrigues *After extra time and 4-3 on penalties

WSE Champions League Men – Final Eight – WEST local hour Quarter-finals Wednesday, 6 May 19:00 – FC Porto (POR) vs HC Liceo (ESP) = 6-2 22:00 – SL Benfica (POR) vs Reus Deportiu Brasilia (ESP) = 4-3 after penalty shots Thursday, 7 May 19:00 – Barça (ESP) vs Sporting CP (POR) – RTP 2 + DAZN 4 + TV 3 | Press kit 22:00 – Óquei de Barcelos (POR) vs Hockey Trissino (ITA) – RTP Play + DAZN 4 | Press kit Semi-finals Saturday, 8 May 12:00 – FC Porto vs Winner of Match 4 16:00 – SL Benfica vs Winner of Match 3 Final Sunday, 10 May 18:00 – Winner of Match 5 vs Winner of Match 6 WSE Champions League Women – Final Four Semi-finals Friday, 8 May 19:00 – SL Benfica (POR) vs Telecable Gijón HC (ESP) – RTP 2 + DAZN 4 21:30 – CP Vila-Sana Coop d’Ivars (ESP) vs CP Esneca Fraga (ESP) – RTP Play + DAZN 4 + TV3 Catalonia Final Sunday, 10 May 12:00 – Winner of Match 1 vs Winner of Match