On the second matchday of the UEFA Futsal Champions League Main Round, Latvian champions Riga Futsal Club suffered a 1-6 defeat against the star-studded Portuguese powerhouse SL Benfica. Riga’s captain Dylan Vargas scored the team’s only goal late in the match.
Both sides entered the game following victories on the opening day. The Portuguese champions, Benfica – who remain unbeaten in their domestic league this season – began their campaign with a dominant 9-0 win over Serbian side Loznica, while Riga Futsal Club defeated Luxol St Andrews of Malta 4-1, with all four goals scored by the team’s foreign players: Ferrugem, Ribeirão, Bruno Coelho, and Dylan Vargas.
Today’s opponent, however, was of a completely different caliber. Multiple-time Portuguese league champions Benfica started the match with five national team players and three FIFA Futsal World Cup winners. Three of their starters – André Coelho, Afonso Jesus, and Edmilson Kutchy – had recently faced Latvia in two friendly matches representing the Portuguese national team.
It was another of those players who opened the scoring: Silvestre Ferreira put Benfica ahead in the second minute. Midway through the first half, Arthur, one of last year’s World Cup winners with Brazil, doubled the lead. Late in the half, Carlos Monteiro and Jacaré added two more goals, giving Benfica a 4-0 advantage at the break.
In the second half, Afonso Jesus scored Benfica’s fifth, continuing the trend of a different player finding the net each time. Edmilson Kutchy made it 6-0 in the 36th minute before Dylan Vargas netted a late consolation goal for Riga, setting the final score at 1-6.
With two wins from two matches, Benfica remain perfect in the tournament, while Riga Futsal Club suffer their first loss. The Latvian side will have a rest day tomorrow before returning to action on Saturday for their final group match against Loznica of Serbia, who are currently facing Luxol St Andrews of Malta.
Riga Futsal Club vs SL Benfica – 1:6 (0:4)
Goals: Vargas 40′ | Ferreira 2′, Arthur 7′, Monteiro 18′, Jacare 20′, Jesus 24′, Kutchy 36′
Source: https://www.uefa.com/uefafutsalchampionsleague/match/2045672–riga-vs-benfica/
