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Benfica opened the national roller hockey championship on Wednesday with a 3-2 defeat against FC Porto at the Dragão Arena, as reported by Site Oficial do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
The opening fixture of the Campeonato Placard first phase put the reigning champions immediately behind in the standings. Nil Roca put the visitors ahead in the 8th minute at the Dragão Arena with Benfica taking the initial possession.
O Benfica entrou melhor no encontro, assumindo maior posse de bola, e chegou à vantagem por intermédio de Nil Roca, enquanto a primeira parte ficou ainda marcada por uma grande penalidade desperdiçada por Zé Miranda antes de os dois emblemas chegarem ao intervalo com um empate a uma bola.
Carlo Di Benedetto scored for the hosts in the 31st minute to make it 2-1. Nil Roca struck again for the eagles in the 35th minute to level the score at 2-2, but Gonçalo Alves secured the victory for the dragons with a decisive strike in the 44th minute.
Edu Castro attributes Porto efficiency to the result
Benfica head coach Edu Castro pointed to opponent efficiency as the primary factor in the result during his post-match comments to Maisfutebol.
“Entrámos muito bem, mesmos nas situações de under-play, mas mesmo assim estivemos bem em muitas fases de jogo e o FC Porto foi eficaz nas ocasiões que teve,” Edu Castro told Maisfutebol.
“Não utilizo desculpas para justificar algo que não correu bem, até porque acho que fizemos muito bem e por vezes acontecem deste tipo de lances milagre,” Edu Castro added to Maisfutebol.
“Em linhas gerais tenho de ver o que posso fazer melhor e acreditar no que fazemos,” Edu Castro said.
Championship goals remain unchanged
The visiting manager emphasized that the loss on opening night does not alter the squad’s overarching ambitions for the season. The club enters the new campaign tasked with defending the league crown won previously.
“Não é fácil, mas o nosso objetivo é muito claro e passa por fazer uma boa época e voltar a defender o escudo que levamos ao peito,” Edu Castro told Maisfutebol.
The starting lineups at Dragão Arena featured Conti Acevedo, Roberto Di Benedetto, Pau Bargalló, Nil Roca, and Gonçalo Pinto for Benfica. Xavier Malián, Ezequiel Mena, Carlo Di Benedetto, César Carballeira, and Hélder Nunes started for FC Porto.
Benfica faces Riba d'Ave on November 14
The Benfica squad returns to the Pavilhão Fidelidade on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 20:00 to face Riba d’Ave in the second round of the Campeonato Placard first phase, according to Site Oficial do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
Roller hockey championship questions
When did FC Porto play Benfica in roller hockey?
FC Porto played Benfica on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Dragão Arena during the opening round of the Campeonato Placard.
Who scored the goals in the Dragão Arena match?
Nil Roca scored twice for Benfica in the 8th and 35th minutes, while Gonçalo Alves scored for FC Porto in the 11th and 44th minutes alongside a 31st-minute goal from Carlo Di Benedetto.
Who is the next opponent for Benfica?
Benfica faces Riba d’Ave on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 20:00 at the Pavilhão Fidelidade in the second round of the championship.
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