The newly-formed Benfica Women’s side are scoring goals for fun and humiliating their opponents on a weekly basis in the second division of the Portuguese Women’s Super League.
Formed at the end of 2017, Jose Marques’ side are competing in the second division of the Portuguese Women’s league during their maiden campaign. So far, they are not finding this problematic.
They have a 100% record as a result of winning all 14 of their league matches and have a simply ridiculous goal difference of 257 scored with none conceded. Including cup competitions, Benfica have scored 293 goals so far this season. Benfica are, unsurprisingly, top of the table with 42 points. Their nearest rivals, Sporting Lisbon, are 12 points behind them in the league.
Marques’ women have recorded double figures in all but one of their league matches so far this term including two 28-0 demolitions. Their most recent triumph was a 32-0 win over Pego which marked a new national record as the most resounding victory ever seen in the country.
Photo: Benfica website
While Benfica are on an incredible run, the achievement is slightly diminished by the obvious fact that the other teams in the second division are nowhere near the same quality. For example, the club has three members of the current Brazil squad who will compete in this year’s World Cup: midfielder Rilany and strike pair Darlene and Geyse.
There is a slight comparison to be made with Manchester United Women who are also competing in the second division, the Women’s Championship, and beat Aston Villa 12-0 in the opening match of the season. They have since gone on to win 5-0 on two occasions as well as one 8-0 and one 9-0 victory. This is impressive but Benfica Women are truly on a different level.
They might not be entering the first division of the Portuguese Women’s League until next season but they are already more than capable of competing in it.
