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Primeira Liga: Rafa Silva's 16-minute cameo ruins Bruno's potential goodbye

The Benfica attacker hit a late double in the most important display in Portugal this week

11:00am on Monday 20th January 2020
By Paul Macdonald

Rafa Silva

M (L), W (R) - SL Benfica - 26 yrs

MAN OF THE MATCH

16'

8.7

Jan 17, 2020

0 - 2

16Minutes played

2Goals

2Total shots

2Shots on target

15Touches

7Passes completed

All eyes were on Bruno Fernandes on Friday night as viewers assumed this would be his last outing for Sporting as a move to Manchester United loomed.

That move hasn't happened yet, and not only that, his Sporting side were taken out in the closing stages thanks for a quick-fire double from Rafa Silva.

Silva has very much been in and out of the Benfica side of late but he utilised his mere 16 minutes on the pitch to devastating effect. His first goal was slotted home with composure with 10 minutes remaining.

And then when the game descended deep into injury time following a VAR incident, Silva showed superb composure to control a high ball and smash home first time, for the type of cameo a substitute can only dream about.

View Rafa Silva's profile, matches played and season statistics

SECOND: Diego Lopes (8.5) proved to be the creative spark for his Rio Ave team, scoring one and assisting the other in a 2-0 win.

THIRD: Pedrao (8.4) was a colossus for Vitoria in a hard-fought 1-0 win v Santa Clara.

⚽ Sporting 0-2 Benfica: FC Ratings, Match Stats and Player Stats

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Rafa Silva