Benfica won the hockey derby by beating Sporting 6-1 on Saturday, ensuring their place in the Elite Cup final, the first sporting competition of the season.
In a very divided and intense first half, Joao Rodriguez, the Reds' reinforcement for this season, opened the scoring in the Odevelas, in the 23rd minute. Despite this, the Lions succeeded in equalizing after half an hour through the Facundo Bridge.
However, in the next minute, Sporting committed ten fouls and Pau Bargalo, with a direct free kick, beat Angelo Girao and put the red team ahead again.
In the final phase, with Edo Bosch's men going on the attack, Benfica decided the outcome of the match.
In the 40th minute, Gonçalo Pinto increased the Eagles' lead, and six minutes later, Neal Roca practically destroyed Sporting's hopes.
Two minutes after the end, Pau Bargalo, another notable addition to Barcelona, scored two goals in the match. In the last seconds, the Spanish striker completed the hat-trick and left good indicators for the season.
Benfica will face Oliverense in the final scheduled for 6 pm on Sunday. Oliveira de Azimes' side, led by former Eagles coach Nuno Resende, beat Porto in the other semi-final..
Benfica, winners of the Elite Cup last season, will try to buck history and become the first two-time champion of the competition.
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