In a commanding display, Benfica defeated Guimaraes 3-0 at the Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques on November 1, 2025. The match was pivotal for both teams, with Benfica solidifying their position near the top of the Primeira Liga and Guimaraes struggling to gain traction as they sit mid-table.
The first half saw both teams battle for control, but neither could find the back of the net. The home side had moments of promise, yet their efforts often fizzled out before reaching Benfica's goal. Meanwhile, Benfica appeared more dangerous but were unable to convert their chances into goals during this opening period.
The tide turned early in the second half when Tomás Araújo struck for Benfica in the 53rd minute. After a spell of sustained pressure, Araújo found himself in the right place at the right time, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Guimaraes. This goal shifted the momentum firmly in Benfica's favor.
Things took a disastrous turn for Guimaraes just three minutes later when Fabio Blanco received a red card in the 56th minute after a reckless challenge. Going down to ten men against a team as formidable as Benfica proved too daunting an obstacle.
In what felt like inevitable, Samuel Dahl doubled Benfica's lead just six minutes later in the 62nd minute. His precise finish showcased Benfica's attacking prowess, amplifying their control over the match and leaving Guimaraes reeling.
Late in the game, with Guimaraes desperately trying to regain composure and find any semblance of hope, João Rêgo sealed their fate with a third goal for Benfica in the 87th minute. Rêgo's strike confirmed that not only were Benfica dominant throughout but also that they were relentless until the final whistle.
The loss leaves Guimaraes on shaky ground in 11th place with just 11 points from nine matches, reflecting a disappointing start to their season. Head coach Ivo Vieira will need to regroup his squad ahead of their next clash with Tondela on November 8 if they hope to climb up from this slump.
On the other hand, Benfica remains firmly entrenched in third place with 21 points from nine games and maintains an impressive unbeaten streak this season. Their recent form includes an exhilarating five-goal performance against Arouca followed by this decisive victory over Guimaraes. Next up is Casa Pia on November 9 where they will look to continue building on this success.
Reflecting on my earlier pre-match predictions, it seems I may have underestimated Benfica's ability to dominate despite Guimaraes' potential for an upset-perhaps football really does like throwing curveballs! While I envisioned a closer contest based on tactical interplay and individual brilliance from players like Alioune Ndoye for Guimaraes, it was clear today that Benfica's depth and skill prevailed decisively.
As both teams prepare for their upcoming fixtures, today's result serves as both warning and motivation: For Guimaraes, there are gaps needing swift attention; for Benfica, it's about maintaining their momentum while pushing towards league leaders. This contest reminded us all why we watch-the unpredictable nature of football can shift rapidly from hope to despair or elation within mere seconds.