Benfica Match Reports

The Beacon U10 football tour to Lisbon culminated in a truly special occasion – a fixture against the world-renowned Benfica Academy. Up to this point on tour, our boys had gone from strength to strength, dispatching both opponents with confidence, control and style. But this was different. This was a genuine test against one of the most respected and successful academies in world football – an academy famed for developing top professionals such as Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, João Félix, Renato Sanches and Angel Di Maria.

After two impressive victories earlier in the tour, the boys entered the day full of belief and excitement. The atmosphere in the changing room before kick-off was electric – a mix of nerves and anticipation. The boys knew this would be their biggest challenge yet and our four key focuses were clear:

1. Work rate – outwork your opponent.

2. Mindset – believe you always have a chance.

3. Structure – understand your role and maintain shape.

4. Most importantly – have fun!

As the teams warmed up, a few drops of rain began to fall – a sign, the boys joked that the English weather had followed them to Lisbon for good luck.

The game began at a fast pace. We started brightly, moving the ball confidently and pressing high. Within minutes, Sebi W fired home a fantastic opener to give us an early lead, sparking cheers from the travelling supporters. However, Benfica showed their class, responding quickly with three well-taken goals. Despite the setback, our boys refused to let their heads drop. Harley G, with some dazzling footwork, beat his man and struck low into the corner to make it 3-2. Soon after, another excellent team move saw Sebi W on hand again to finish calmly, 3–3.

Benfica made a few substitutions that brought fresh energy and two quick goals to restore their lead at 5-3. But just before the break, Macsen T pounced on a loose ball and unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that found the back of the net. 5-4 at half-time… game on.

After a passionate team talk, the boys emerged for the second half full of determination. What followed was a spell of outstanding football. Sebi W completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, Harley G added two more superb finishes to claim his own hat-trick, and Quinn showed great composure to convert a penalty he had earned after a strong run into the box. From 5-4 down to 8-5 up… a remarkable turnaround built on teamwork, belief and desire.

Every player contributed. Maxim M constantly broke through lines with his direct dribbling, while Ronan W and Macsen T showed calmness and control in defence. Edward B and William D applied relentless pressure, forcing mistakes from the opposition and Austin B produced several crucial saves while showing real leadership in organising the team from corners.

A special mention goes to Robert P, who unfortunately picked up an injury earlier in the tour and was unable to play. His support and encouragement from the sidelines, helping to coach and motivate the team, demonstrated brilliant character and team spirit.

As the clock ticked down, fatigue began to show and Benfica capitalised on a few errors, scoring twice to make it 8-7. The final minutes were tense, wave after wave of Benfica attacks tested our resilience. But the boys dug deep. Then, in one final moment of brilliance, Maxim M picked up the ball, beat three defenders and coolly slotted home to make it 9-7, a stunning solo goal to seal an unforgettable victory.

The full-time whistle blew. We had done it… unbeaten on tour and victorious against one of Europe’s elite academies. The celebrations that followed were a mix of pride, relief and pure joy.

It was an incredible achievement and a performance that epitomised everything it means to be a Beacon boy – resilience, teamwork and courage. A memory that will live long for every player, parent and coach involved.

FT – S.L. Benfica Academy U10 7-9 The Beacon U10A

Goals: Sebi W x3, Harley G x3, Maxim M, Macsen T, Quinn R

Reported by

Mr Harris

As expected, Benfica came out all guns blazing and we were under the pump from the first minute. With the opposition hitting the post and forcing keeper Oliver C into a number of early saves, we managed to get through the first 15 minutes with the game still awaiting its first goal. Their slightly unconventional 7-a-side setup of 1-3-2 left us struggling to play out from the back and retain possession, leaving us under pressure. However, we started to grow into the game, move the ball quicker, and string a number of passes together. With 20 minutes on the clock, pressure on their sole defender from Blake B was rewarded when the ball broke to him and a combination of quick thinking and composure resulted in an audacious lob from distance over the Benfica keeper to put us 1-0 up.

Unsurprisingly, the opposition hit back quickly with two high quality goals that knocked our confidence and sent us 1-2 down into the half-time break. We agreed during the break that we were going to have to find a different way of playing and decided to go more direct from goal kicks.

During the second half, keeper Oliver C showed a fantastic range of long passing that was hitting our wide players and centre forward, allowing us to progress up the pitch consistently. An equaliser came when Xander T-O managed to turn the ball over in midfield and it worked its way out to Seb S on the left wing. An excellent pass through to Blake B allowed for a cut back across the face of goal that was finished off at the back post by Kit R for 2-2.

Again, the opposition bounced back with an excellent team goal as they progressed the ball up the pitch, and hung a cross to the back post which was finished off with a brilliant header back across the face of goal… 2-3. The game had started to open up and we equalised again after a period of sustained pressure through the calm finish of centre forward Blake B with around 10 minutes left to play, 3-3.

Then, a few minutes later, we found ourselves again conceding to a great strike down to the keeper’s right that ended up in the side netting of the bottom corner, which left us only with a couple of minutes to find yet another equaliser… 3-4.

On a day where United managed a historic win at Anfield, it was only right that Fergie time brought us a moment that these boys will never forget. Into the third minute of additional time, with the final whistle looming, a last ditch punt up the pitch resulted in an attack up the left side. The ball was played across the edge of the box, missing everyone, and rolled into the stride of the onrushing Shayan P coming in from right midfield who smashed home into the top right corner to send the travelling Beacon ultras into bedlam – an equaliser that felt like a winner.

Just a minute after the U10 game had finished on the adjacent pitch, they had all realised what that goal meant. All 20 boys in a bundle next to the corner flag. The coach with his hands on his head in pure disbelief at what had just happened… It was a moment that just felt like the perfect culmination of a memorable tour and an unbelievable experience for our boys.

FT – S.L. Benfica Academy U11 4-4 The Beacon U11A

Goals: Blake B x2, Kit R, Shayan P

Reported by

Mr Sutcliffe