SL Benfica Women continued their strong preseason preparations with a composed 2-0 victory over London City Lionesses Women in an international club friendly played on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The match, which kicked off at 02:00 local time, gave both sides valuable minutes against European opposition as they fine-tuned their squads ahead of the new campaign.

Match Overview

Benfica controlled the tempo from the opening whistle, dominating possession and creating the clearer chances against a defensively organized London City side. The Portuguese outfit broke the deadlock in the first half and added a second after the interval to seal a comfortable result under the lights.

For London City Lionesses, the friendly served as a demanding test against a side that consistently competes at the top of Portuguese women’s football. The English club, known for their disciplined structure and athleticism, had moments of promise on the counterattack but struggled to test the Benfica goalkeeper with genuine regularity.

Key Moments

• First-half opener: Benfica found the breakthrough midway through the first half after a well-worked move down the right flank, finished clinically from close range.
• Second-half insurance goal: The hosts doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from London City to slot home from inside the box.
• Late resistance: London City pushed for a consolation goal in the final 15 minutes, but Benfica’s backline held firm to keep a clean sheet.

Tactical Story

Benfica’s approach was built on patient build-up play and high pressing, forcing London City into rushed passes. Their midfield trio dictated the rhythm, while full-backs provided width and overloads in wide areas. London City settled into a compact 4-4-2 shape, looking to hit on the break, but lacked the final pass to convert promising transitions into clear-cut opportunities.

The friendly allowed both coaching staffs to experiment with rotations. Benfica used the match to integrate new signings, while London City gave valuable minutes to younger players, with several substitutions made in the second half to manage workload.

Standout Performers

For Benfica, the central midfield pairing was particularly impressive, controlling the midfield battle and setting up attacking moves with quick, accurate distribution. Up front, the opening goalscorer showed sharp movement, while the defensive unit remained organized and communication strong throughout.

London City’s goalkeeper was the standout for the visitors, making several important saves to keep the scoreline respectable. The defensive midfielder also worked tirelessly, breaking up play and shielding the back four under sustained pressure.

Season Outlook

This friendly represents another step in Benfica Women’s preparation for the upcoming domestic season, where they will look to challenge for the Campeonato Nacional Feminino title. The clean sheet and attacking efficiency will be encouraging signs for their coaching staff.

For London City Lionesses, the match provides valuable European experience as they continue their buildup for the Women’s Championship season in England. While the result went against them, the competitive nature of the fixture will have served its purpose in improving fitness and sharpening tactical understanding.

International club friendlies may not carry the weight of competitive points, but this encounter offered both teams a meaningful benchmark. Benfica’s 2-0 win underlines their strength in depth, while London City will take lessons from the contest as they prepare for their own challenges ahead.