Benfica Liceo: Champions League Game 5 – Result & Highlights

In yet another high caliber European night, the Benfica This Thursday, January 22nd, they beat HC Liceo, 4-2, and recorded their 5th victory in as many rounds in Group B of the WSE Champions League.

Such as Edu Castro had asked for preview of the match, the Benfica soul was felt early on in the rink and in the stands of the Fidelidade Pavilion.

As soon as 4′, Nil Roca his brother Blai Roca, owner of the HC Liceo goal, feinted, who stretched out and closed the corner on the Benfica player. Two minutes later, the Spanish defense is back in the spotlight and served Zé Mirandawhich the amendment failed at the goal.

To the 13′, Zé Miranda invaded the area from the Galician team, it was knocked down by Arnau Xaus and the referee signaled penal. Called to collect, João Rodrigues shot to save Blai Roca, but, in the end, recharge, hit the ball about the goalkeeper and did the 1-0.

The game continued lively, with opportunities in both goalsbut Pedro Henriques and Blai Roca prevented the marker from working again until the horn sounds for the interval.

Benfica’s entry into 2nd part it couldn’t be better. To the 26′, Nil Roca launched Zé Miranda and he crossed to the second post, where he appeared João Rodrigues scoring twice for 2-0.

A great night for the Portuguese international forward followed the 31′. In an individual play, got rid of two opponents and, from a difficult angle, fired a cross for 3-0completing your hat-trick.

With 10 minutes to go, HC Liceo managed to reduce it to 3-1 num bid of misfortune of Benfica’s defense. Jacobo Copa came from behind the goal, made the pass to the front zone, but the ball hit Viti’s skate and entered the goal in the custody of Pedro Henriques.

A reaction of the outsiders discovered a new chapter to the 43′. Arnau Xaus shot between his legs into the top right corner with no chance for the Benfica goalkeeper for the 3-2.

Struggling to control the game with possession, Benfica allowed a final Spanish attack. To the 45′Cesar Carballeira saw his shot returned by grass and, later, Pedro Henriques denied the draw to the Galicians with a Tremendous left hand save with 58 seconds left.

However, following that move, HC Liceo went all out in the 5 to 4 e Zé Mirandataking advantage of the deserted goalsentenced the 4-2to the 50′.

Continuing your unbeaten in 22 games played in 2025/26, Benfica returns to action at 18:00 of the next domingo, January 25thin the UD Oliveirense pavilion, at the start of the 13th round of the 1st phase of the National Championship.

DECLARATIONS

Edu Castro (Benfica coach): “It was a game of high competition. We played against the leaders of the Spanish league, on equal terms with Igualada. After a first half where we played a good game of attrition, because they were very well physically, we made it 2-0 and 3-0. We were a bit unlucky at 3-1 and that made HC Liceo think they could get back into the game. And they did, through a stroke of genius. We then reached the 3-2 is mythical in these types of games and statistics say that 5 to 4 ends up appearing in these moments, as it happened. We are happy and I think we can value a victory like this more than one by 5-0 or 6-0.”

João Rodrigues (Benfica forward): “[Três golos] As long as the script was Benfica’s victory, everything is fine with me. It was a good performance on our part. HC Liceo made things difficult for us from the beginning, because they have a great team. After we got the advantage, we dropped the lines a little, they created danger and, with any luck, they got into the game. But afterwards, we were calm, we had the ability to control the operations until the end. It’s an important victory, towards our goal of taking 1st place in the group. We are doing things well, but decisions come later. We are aware of this and will work to respond accordingly.”