In a thrilling encounter of the Portugal Nacional 2A Cup, Guifoes U23 emerged victorious with an 82–72 road win over EM Benfica OAZ. The match, played on May 24, 2026, showcased a strong second-half performance from the visitors, who overcame a tight first half to secure a crucial victory in the competition. The win keeps Guifoes U23 firmly in contention for a top spot in the cup standings, while Benfica OAZ will rue missed opportunities in front of their home crowd.

Match Overview

The game started at a high tempo, with both sides exchanging baskets in an evenly contested opening quarter. Benfica OAZ, playing on their home court, matched Guifoes U23 shot for shot, and the first half ended with Guifoes holding a narrow 41–39 lead. However, the second half told a different story. Guifoes tightened their defence and began forcing turnovers, which they converted into fast-break points. Their bench depth proved decisive as they outscored Benfica OAZ 41–33 in the second half to seal the 10-point road win.

Key Moments

• Third quarter surge: Guifoes U23 opened the second half with a 10–2 run, extending their lead to 51–41. Benfica OAZ called a timeout but could not stop the momentum.
• Free‑throw clinic: In the final four minutes, Guifoes made 12 of 14 free throws to put the game out of reach. Their calmness under pressure was a major factor.
• Benfica rally falls short: With five minutes left, Benfica OAZ cut the deficit to six points (68–62), but a crucial offensive rebound and three‑pointer from Guifoes snuffed out the comeback.

Standout Players

For Guifoes U23, guard Pedro Sousa led all scorers with 24 points, including four three‑pointers and a perfect 6‑for‑6 from the line. Forward Rafael Costa added a double‑double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the paint on both ends. Benfica OAZ’s top performer was captain João Mendes, who finished with 20 points and 8 assists, but his efforts were not enough to overcome Guifoes’ collective depth.

Season Implications

With this victory, Guifoes U23 improve to 4‑1 in the Portugal Nacional 2A Cup group stage, strengthening their case for a top seed in the knockout rounds. Benfica OAZ drop to 2‑3 and now face a tougher path to qualification. The result also highlights Guifoes’ ability to win on the road, a valuable attribute as the competition progresses. For Benfica, defensive lapses in transition remain a concern, and they will need to bounce back quickly in their next fixture.