Benfica Draw with CP Esneca Fraga & Secure WSE Champions League Final Four Spot

Benfica Secures Champions League Final Four Berth After Hard-Fought Draw with CP Esneca Fraga

Benfica advanced to the WSE Champions League Women Final Four on Saturday, February 14, 2026, despite playing to a 2-2 draw against CP Esneca Fraga at the Pavilhão Fidelidade. The result secured first place in Group B for the Portuguese side, marking a significant achievement for the club in the competition.

The match saw a quick start from the Spanish visitors, with Adriana Soto opening the scoring in just the 2nd minute. Converting a direct free kick, Soto beat Benfica goalkeeper Maria Vieira to give CP Esneca Fraga an early lead. Benfica responded with assertive play, creating several opportunities. Sara Roces tested Anna Ferrer with a strong individual effort in the 5th minute, and moments later, Raquel Santos’ powerful shot and subsequent rebound were both denied by the Fraga goalkeeper.

Benfica’s persistence paid off in the 11th minute when Raquel Santos fired from distance, and Maria Sofia Silva deflected the ball into the net, leveling the score at 1-1. The momentum continued to shift as Maria Vieira made a spectacular helmet save in the 12th minute, denying CP Esneca Fraga a quick response. Before halftime, Adriana Soto hit the post, narrowly missing a second goal for the Spanish team.

The second half began with Benfica taking the lead in the 29th minute. Aimée Blackman drove down the right side and delivered a precise cross that Maria Sofia Silva skillfully diverted past the goalkeeper, making it 2-1. However, CP Esneca Fraga refused to concede defeat, continuing to press for an equalizer. They found it in the 34th minute when Maria Sanjurjo scored on the rebound after Maria Vieira initially saved Adriana Soto’s shot, bringing the score back to 2-2.

Despite both teams pushing for a winner, the score remained tied until the final whistle. Benfica had a late opportunity to secure the victory with a penalty in the 45th minute after CP Esneca Fraga accumulated 10 fouls, but Sara Roces’ attempt was thwarted by a diving save from the Fraga goalkeeper.

With the draw, Benfica finished atop Group B with 11 points, guaranteeing their place in the Final Four. Paulo Almeida, Benfica’s coach, expressed his pride in his team’s accomplishment, stating, “No one believed Benfica could reach the final four of the Champions League. It was the group of death, with Benfica and three other Spanish teams, one of them the European champion Palau. And perhaps everyone thought that Palau and Fraga would pass. They were wrong. Benfica, with this draw, secured first place on merit.” Almeida also emphasized the team’s desire to finish the group stage undefeated and continue their strong performance.

Maria Sofia Silva, Benfica’s forward, echoed her coach’s sentiments, highlighting the team’s determination and the support of the fans. “We came out of here with the first objective of this season. In addition to winning all the competitions, we wanted to be present in the final four to be able to fight for a conquest that we have been wanting for a long time and we achieved it. It is special. We knew that the opponent would give everything, because they are tough and a good team. We knew how to suffer and stamped the pass to the final four. Despite being in what they say is the group of death, we are Sport Lisboa e Benfica. We fight to win and to be in the first places, so we have to believe and fight for it. I feel the support and belief of them. Continue to be our 6th player because this year [the WSE Champions League Women] has to be ours.”

Benfica will now prepare for the Final Four, while domestically, they will return to action on February 18 against CRIAR-T in a match from the 13th round of the Zona Sul Championship.