Analysis The numbers behind the result
Benfica's clinical finishing demolishes Casa Pia in xG rout
Benfica's 7-0 victory was a fair reflection of their dominance, outperforming their 3.04 xG with ruthless efficiency while Casa Pia managed just 0.12 xG and failed to register a single shot on target. The Eagles' 64% possession translated into 20 total shots (8 on target) compared to Casa Pia's paltry 3 off-target attempts, with Vangelis Pavlidis' second-half hat-trick (47', 49', 54') and an earlier Rafa Silva strike (14') breaking the game open before substitutes compounded the misery.
The hosts' defensive collapse was epitomized by Lawrence Ofori's 58th-minute own goal, while Benfica's 90% pass accuracy and 14 shots inside the box showcased their territorial control. Prestianni's 3rd-minute opener set the tone for a match where Benfica scored with 23% of their total shots, tripling their expected goals tally in a display of lethal finishing.
The defining stat: Benfica created a chance every 4.1 minutes of possession, with Pavlidis alone accounting for 3 goals from just 0.98 xG before being subbed off on 59 minutes.