Benfica vs Alverca ratings: Pavlidis decisive with just two shots

Benfica beat Alverca 1-0, and the match belonged to Vangelis Pavlidis. He scored the winning penalty in the 51st minute and finished with only two shots, a tidy reminder that a striker does not need much volume to decide a game when the chance arrives.

Pavlidis and the decisive moment

Pavlidis was Benfica's main attacking reference, and the numbers fit the eye test. His 7.8 rating was the best among the starters, and the finish from the spot gave Benfica the edge in a game they controlled without ever running away with it.

Benfica did not create an endless stream of clear chances, so the penalty carried real weight. Pavlidis took it cleanly, and that was enough to settle the result.

Prestianni, Lenglet and Echeverri around him

Gianluca Prestianni was the liveliest wide outlet, especially from the left. He completed four successful dribbles and added one key pass in 90 minutes, which is exactly the sort of output Benfica wanted from a winger when the game needed a spark.

Clément Lenglet also had a strong case for praise. He played 90 minutes, won five of 10 duels and picked up a booking, but the more important point was how steady he looked at the back. Late substitute Claudio Echeverri changed the pace of the attack too, with three shots and two key passes after coming on, while the move that won the penalty came after his introduction.

The broader takeaway is straightforward enough. Benfica got the winning moment from Pavlidis, the best attacking carrying from Prestianni and a composed defensive shift from Lenglet in a 1-0 win over Benfica vs Alverca.