S.L. Benfica (women)
Full name | Sport Lisboa e Benfica | ||
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Nickname(s) | As Águias (The Eagles) As Encarnadas (The Reds) | ||
Founded | 12 December 2017 | ||
Ground | Estádio Municipal José Martins Vieira Benfica Campus Estádio da Luz (selected matches) | ||
Capacity | 2,230 2,708 64,642 | ||
President | Rui Costa | ||
Head coach | Filipa Patão | ||
League | Campeonato Nacional Feminino | ||
2023–24 | Campeonato Nacional Feminino, 1st of 12 (champions) | ||
Website | https://www.slbenfica.pt | ||
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Closed departments | ||||||
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Sport Lisboa e Benfica (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɨˈpɔɾ liʒˈβoɐ i βɐ̃jˈfikɐ] ⓘ), commonly known as Benfica, is a Portuguese women's football team based in Lisbon that plays in the Campeonato Nacional Feminino, the top-level women's football league in Portugal, following promotion in the 2018–19 season.
Founded on 12 December 2017, it is the women's team of football club S.L. Benfica.[1][2] They have won four consecutive First Division titles, one Second Division title, two Portuguese Cup, five League Cups (record) and three Super Cups (shared record).
Their current home grounds are the 2,230-seater Estádio Municipal José Martins Vieira, in Almada,[3] and Benfica Campus, in Seixal, with the team occasionally playing at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.
As of 2024, Benfica have won every league title since they arrived at the Portuguese top flight in 2019, with the exception of the 2019–20 season, when the league was suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions.[4] At the time of suspension, the team was tied for first place.[5]
History
[edit]On 12 December 2017, Benfica publicly confirmed that it was forming a long-mooted women's football team.[6] Compiling a squad replete with several international players and a distinctly Brazilian flavour, they entered the Portuguese second division and promptly doled out several comprehensive thrashings to their outmatched opponents.[7]
The initial squad contained a total of seven players from Brazil (an eighth, Rilany, arrived in December). Brazilians were targeted because many had the required skills and experience. As Lusophones, they were also expected to adapt quickly to Portuguese culture.[8] This mirrored the policy of Benfica's male team, who had a successful policy of importing talented players from the Brazilian transfer market.[9]
On 17 September 2018, Benfica made their league debut in the Campeonato Nacional II Divisão and beat UD Ponte de Frielas 28–0. The result established a new record winning margin in Portuguese senior football, surpassing Sporting CP's 21–0 win over CS Mindelense in 1971.[10][11] Former Benfica player Luís Andrade was appointed as technical co-ordinator of the club's women's section in October 2018. He was tasked with developing a women's B team and revamping the youth structure, which contained approximately 200 players.[12]
On 26 January 2019, Benfica broke their own Portuguese scoring record by thrashing CP Pego 32–0 at the Estádio da Tapadinha, increasing their league tally to 257 goals scored and none conceded in 14 matches,[13][14] and the overall tally to 293–0 in 16 matches.[15] Four days later, Benfica conceded a goal for the first time in their history, in a 5–1 away win over Marítimo in the third round of the Portuguese Cup.[16]
Campeonato Nacional side Braga inflicted Benfica's first ever defeat on 24 March 2019, winning 2–1 away in the first leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-final.[17] Six days later, Benfica met Sporting CP in the first but unofficial female Lisbon derby between their main teams. The match was staged at the Estádio do Restelo to raise money for the Cyclone Idai relief effort in Mozambique, attracting 15,204 spectators – a national record crowd at the time for a women's match in Portugal. Despite dominating play, Benfica lost 1–0 to Joana Marchão's 86th-minute penalty kick.[18]
On 18 May 2019, after eliminating Braga on 5–4 aggregate in the Portuguese Cup semi-finals,[19] Benfica beat Valadares Gaia 4–0 in the final to conquer their first trophy, in a Portuguese Cup record attendance of 12,632.[20][21] Following an 8–0 win over Estoril Praia B on 29 May, Benfica secured promotion to the 2019–20 Campeonato Nacional Feminino.[22] Later, on 23 June, they were crowned second division champions as they beat Braga B on 9–0 aggregate in the finals.[23][24]
After the departure of head coach João Marques,[25] Luís Andrade took his position,[26] and Benfica started their second season by beating Portuguese champions Braga 1–0 with a goal from Pauleta to conquer their first Super Cup trophy.[27] A week later, Benfica debuted in the first division with a 24–0 thrashing of A-dos-Francos.[28] On 19 October, Benfica beat Sporting 3–0 at the Estádio da Luz in the first official derby between both sides, played before 12,812 spectators, who set a new attendance record for a women's match in Portugal.[29][30]
Benfica qualified to UEFA Women's Champions League's group stage for the first time after beating Twente 4–0 on 9 September 2021 (5–1 on aggregate).[31] Benfica made their debut in the competition with a goalless home draw against Bayern Munich on 5 October. On 17 November, Benfica secured their first victory in the group stage, 2–1 at BK Häcken FF, while scoring their first goal.[32]
In the 2023–24 season, Benfica set a Portuguese record by winning all four domestic competitions:[33] the Supertaça de Portugal, the Taça da Liga, the Campeonato Nacional, and the Taça de Portugal. Additionally, Benfica reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League, where they were eliminated by Olympique Lyon.[34] This marked the first time a Portuguese team was amongst the final eight teams in the competition.
Crest and shirt
[edit]Benfica women's team uses the same crest as the rest of the club. Benfica's crest is composed of an eagle, as a symbol of independence, authority and nobility, positioned atop a shield with red and white colours, symbolizing bravery and peace respectively; the motto "E pluribus unum" ("Out of many, one"), defining union between all members; and the club's initials, "SLB", over a football – all this superimposed on a bicycle wheel representing one of the club's first sports, cycling.[35][36]
The club has had four main crests since its inception in 1904. The origin of the current crest goes back to 1908, when Sport Lisboa absorbed Grupo Sport Benfica. Afterwards, the shape of the crest was changed in 1930 and 1999. The most significant of the latest changes were the modification and repositioning of the eagle and the reduction of the wheel's size.[37]. Seeing as the women's team has been established in 2017, it has always used the latest club crest.
Since the 2008–09 season, Benfica football shirts have displayed three stars above the crest, with each star representing ten league titles won by the club. These stars were initially adopted by women's team as well, even though the rationale behind them would not be applicable. Starting in the 2024/2025 season, the stars over the crest were removed from the women's football team's shirt.
-
1904–1908
(Sport Lisboa) -
1906–1908
(Grupo Sport Benfica) -
1908–1930
-
1930–1999
José da Cruz Viegas was the person responsible for the selection of Benfica's kit in 1904. Red and white colours were chosen for being the ones that stood out better to players' eyes. One year after its inception, the club opted for red shirts with white collars, pockets and cuffs,[38] combined with white shorts and black socks.[39] Benfica's white alternative kit was officially used for the first time in 1944–45, when Salgueiros, who also wore red, were promoted to the first division.[40] The women's team follows this tradition since its inception, and as such, the home shirt has always been primarly red.
Benfica have always worn red shirts; for that reason, in Portugal, Benfica and their supporters (benfiquistas) were nicknamed Vermelhos (Reds). This changed in 1936 with the start of the Spanish Civil War: the Portuguese Estado Novo's Censorship Commission censored the word "vermelhos" because the Popular Front communists in Spain were also known by that name. From then on, Benfica became known as Encarnados – word similar to "reds", but with a different connotation.[41][42]
Players
[edit]Current squad
[edit]- As of 24 August 2024[43]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Other players under contract
[edit]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
[edit]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Former players
[edit]Coaching staff
[edit]Position | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Filipa Patão |
Assistant coaches | Tiago Carmo André Vale Marco Sousa Bárbara Reis |
Goalkeeping coach | Pedro Espinha |
Video analyst | Mauro Rodrigues |
Last updated: 4 August 2021
Source: [44]
Records and statistics
[edit]Competition record
[edit]Benfica's performance over their completed seasons:
Season | League | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Top league scorer | Goals | Top overall scorer | Goals | TP | TL | ST | UCL | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018–19 | 2D | 1st | 20 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 365 | 31 | Darlene | 80 | Darlene | 109 | W | — | — | — | [45][46] |
2019–20 | 1D | 1st | 15 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 101 | 4 | Cloé Lacasse | 23 | Cloé Lacasse | 25 | RU | W | W | — | [47][48] |
2020–21 | 1D | 1st | 23 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 81 | 15 | Cloé Lacasse | 16 | Cloé Lacasse | 22 | — | W | — | R32 | [49][50] |
2021–22 | 1D | 1st | 40 | 28 | 5 | 7 | 107 | 39 | Cloé Lacasse | 11 | Cloé Lacasse | 20 | R16 | RU | RU | GS | [51][52] |
2022–23 | 1D | 1st | 44 | 37 | 1 | 6 | 177 | 44 | Cloé Lacasse | 22 | Cloé Lacasse | 35 | SF | W | W | GS | [53][54] |
2023–24 | 1D | 1st | 47 | 33 | 9 | 5 | 141 | 41 | Kika Nazareth | 17 | Marie-Yasmine Alidou | 26 | W | W | W | QF | [55][56][57][58][59] |
2024–25 | 1D | TBD | - | - | - | - | - | - | TBD | - | TBD | - | TBD | W | RU | 2QR | [60][61][62] |
- Key
W = Winners; RU = Runners-up; SF = Semi-finals; QF = Quarter-Finals; R16 = Round of 16; R32 = Round of 32; GS = Group stage; 2QR = Second Qualifying Round
Managerial statistics
[edit]As of match played 21 May 2022. Only competitive matches are included.
Name | Nat | From | To | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win % | Honours | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
João Marques | ![]() |
8 March 2018[63] | 25 June 2019[25] | 36 | 34 | 1 | 1 | 452 | 6 | 94.44 | Campeonato Nacional II Divisão, Taça de Portugal | [45] |
Luís Andrade | ![]() |
2 July 2019[26] | 26 December 2020 | 35 | 30 | 1 | 4 | 171 | 28 | 85.71 | Supertaça de Portugal | [64][65] |
Filipa Patão | ![]() |
27 December 2020 | Present | 99 | 79 | 7 | 13 | 335 | 93 | 79.80 | 4 Campeonato Nacional, 5 Taça da Liga, 2 Supertaça de Portugal, Taça de Portugal | [66] |
Honours
[edit]- Winners (1): 2018–19
- Winners (2): 2018–19, 2023–24
- Winners (5) – record: 2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
- Winners (3) – shared record: 2019, 2022, 2023
Benfica B
- Winners (1): 2023–24
References
[edit]- ^ "Futebol feminino apresenta-se com títulos no horizonte" [Benfica women present themselves with titles on the horizont]. S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). 25 July 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^ "Equipa de futebol feminino do Benfica estreia-se com goleada de 18–0" [Benfica women's football team debut with an 18–0 thrashing]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 30 July 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^ Pina, José (16 December 2021). "Cova da Piedade e Benfica assinam protocolo de desenvolvimento" (in Portuguese).
- ^ "Abril: Campeonatos finalizados administrativamente, regressos e o lay-off :: zerozero.pt". www.zerozero.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "Campeonato Nacional Feminino BPI 2019/2020 :: Nacional Feminino Portugal Futebol [Seniores] :: Nacional Feminino BPI :: Classificação :: Estatísticas :: Títulos :: Palmarés :: História :: Golos :: Próximos Jogos :: Resultados :: Notícias :: Videos :: Fotos :: zerozero.pt". www.zerozero.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "Women's football at Benfica will become a reality". S.L. Benfica. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ "Benfica women undefeated after four games and 85 goals". BBC Sport. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ Barlem, Cíntia (19 July 2018). "Benfica lança time feminino e acredita em modalidade autossustentável nos próximos anos" [Benfica launch women's team and believe in self-sustaining sport in the coming years]. GloboEsporte.com (in Portuguese). Rede Globo. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
- ^ Vickery, Tim (2 April 2012). "Benfica's Brazilian import-export connection". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
- ^ "Benfica women claim 28–0 victory on debut in Portuguese second division". BBC Sport. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Benfica women set Portuguese record with 28–0 win over Ponte de Frielas – video". The Guardian. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Luís Andrade na estrutura do futebol feminino" [Luís Andrade in the women's football structure]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 10 October 2018. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Benfica women have scored an incredible 257 goals & conceded none this season". Goal (in Portuguese). 28 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ^ Fernandes, Nunes (26 January 2019). "32–0. Equipa feminina do Benfica bate recorde de golos num jogo" [32–0. Benfica women's team set goal record in one match]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- ^ "Equipa feminina do Benfica goleia CP Pego por 32 golos sem resposta" [Benfica women's team trash CP Pego by 32 goals without response]. SAPO Desporto (in Portuguese). 26 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- ^ "Vídeo: o 1.º golo sofrido pela equipa feminina do Benfica foi um golaço" [Video: the first goal conceded by Benfica women's was a great one]. Maisfutebol (in Portuguese). 1 February 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
- ^ "Sp. Braga impõe ao Benfica a primeira derrota da época" [Sp. Braga impose Benfica's first loss of the season]. Público (in Portuguese). 24 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ "Jogo solidário "Todos Moçambique". Sporting vence Benfica no primeiro dérbi de futebol feminino de sempre" [Solidarity match "Everyone for Mozambique". Sporting beat Benfica in first ever women's football derby]. SAPO 24 (in Portuguese). 30 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ "Benfica dá a volta ao SC Braga e está na final da Taça de Portugal" [Benfica overcome SC Braga and are in the Portuguese Cup final]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 20 April 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ "Benfica vence Taça de Portugal!" [Benfica win Portuguese Cup!]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 18 May 2019. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ "Aí está o primeiro título do futebol feminino do Benfica: 'águias' vencem Taça de Portugal" [Here is Benfica women's first football title: 'eagles' win Portuguese Cup]. SAPO Desporto (in Portuguese). 18 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Nascimento, Diogo (29 May 2019). "Eagles secure promotion". S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- ^ "Benfica sagra-se campeão da 2.ª divisão de futebol feminino" [Benfica become champions of the women's football 2nd division]. i (in Portuguese). 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
- ^ "Benfica sagra-se campeão da segunda divisão" [Benfica become second division champions]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 23 June 2019. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
- ^ a b "Thank you, João Marques!". S.L. Benfica. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
- ^ a b Nascimento, Diogo; Dores, Márcia (2 July 2019). "Luís Andrade is the new coach of the women's football team". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
- ^ "Benfica derrota o Sp. Braga e vence Supertaça de futebol feminino" [Benfica defeat Sp. Braga and win women's football Super Cup]. Público (in Portuguese). 8 September 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
- ^ "Equipa feminina do Benfica estreia-se na I Divisão com 24 golos" [Benfica women's team debuts in the First Division with 24 goals]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 15 September 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- ^ Fernandes, Mariana. "Benfica vence Sporting na Luz e sai a ganhar no primeiro dérbi oficial de futebol feminino" [Benfica beat Sporting at Da Luz and come out winning in the first official football derby]. Observador (in Portuguese). Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "Benfica vence primeiro dérbi feminino e assume liderança isolada do campeonato" [Benfica win first women's derby and take the lead in the league]. SAPO Desporto (in Portuguese). 19 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
- ^ "Benfica faz história e alcança fase de grupos da Champions feminina". Record.
- ^ "A BOLA". A Bola.
- ^ ""Full season: Benfica wins the Portuguese Cup!"". zerozero.pt (in Portuguese).
- ^ "Lyon vs Benfica – 2023/2024". www.uefa.com.
- ^ "Statutes" (PDF). S.L. Benfica. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2015.
- ^ "Symbols". S.L. Benfica. Archived from the original on 28 June 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
- ^ "Benfica não vai alterar emblema" [Benfica will not change crest]. S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). 17 December 2007. Archived from the original on 27 April 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
- ^ Oliveira & Silva 1954, p. 84.
- ^ Pereira 2009, p. 18.
- ^ Pereira 2009, p. 29.
- ^ Pereira 2009, p. 145.
- ^ Caffé, Amílcar (1 January 1997). "Vermelho / encarnado". Ciberdúvidas da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- ^ "Women's football team". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- ^ "Equipa técnica" [Staff]. zerozero.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Totais por competição" [Totals by competition (2018–19)]. zerozero.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 20 September 2019.
- ^ "Futebol Feminino: Marcou 109 golos no Benfica e renovou por duas temporadas" [Women's Football: She scored 109 goals at Benfica and renewed her contract for two seasons]. SAPO Desporto (in Portuguese). 25 June 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
- ^ "2019–20 statistics". zerozero.pt.
- ^ "2019–20 top scorers". zerozero.pt.
- ^ "2020–21 statistics". zerozero.pt.
- ^ "2020–21 top scorers". zerozero.pt.
- ^ "2021–22 statistics". zerozero.pt.
- ^ "2021–22 top scorers". zerozero.pt.
- ^ "2022–23 statistics". zerozero.pt.
- ^ "2022–23 top scorers". zerozero.pt.
- ^ ""German wall is worth titles" (Portuguese article)". zerozero.pt.
- ^ "Women's Champions League: Who is through to the quarter-finals". www.uefa.com.
- ^ ""Immediate effect: Benfica win the League Cup for the fourth time!" (Portuguese article)". zerozero.pt.
- ^ ""Benfica are four-time champions!" (Portuguese article)". zerozero.pt.
- ^ ""Full season: Benfica wins the Portuguese Cup!" (Portuguese article)". zerozero.pt.
- ^ ""Sporting beats Benfica 'in a comeback' and wins the Women's Supercup" (Portuguese article)". abola.pt.
- ^ ""Women's Champions League round 2: Celtic, Arsenal, Hammarby, Juventus, Galatasaray, Wolfsburg among winners"". uefa.com.
- ^ ""League Cup stays red and white" (Portuguese article)". zerozero.pt.
- ^ Garcia, Filipa Fernandes (8 March 2019). "João Marques is the coach of the women's football team". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
- ^ "Totais por competição" [Totals by competition (2019–20)]. zerozero (in Portuguese). Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Totais por competição" [Totals by competition (2020–21)]. zerozero (in Portuguese). Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Jogos realizados" [Matches played]. zerozero (in Portuguese). Retrieved 24 May 2022.
Sources
[edit]- Oliveira, Mário Fernando de; Silva, Carlos Rebelo da. História do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (1904–1954) [History of Sport Lisboa e Benfica (1904–1954)] (in Portuguese). Preface by Lieutenant Colonel Ribeiro dos Reis. Lisbon, Portugal.
- Pereira, Luís Miguel (November 2009). Bíblia do Benfica [Benfica Bible] (in Portuguese) (7th ed.). Carcavelos, Portugal: Prime Books. ISBN 978-989-655-005-9.
External links
[edit]- Official website (in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French)
- S.L. Benfica at thefinalball.com