BENFICA (Estadio da Luz)

Thursday 22nd October 2009
Europa League Group I
Benfica 5-0 Everton
Attendance: 44,354

Another day, another train journey but now it was time for the main event! A visit to the iconic Estadio da Luz, the home of Benfica (I must stress that this is not the original Stadium of Light, that was demolished and re-built for Euro 2004, but is in exactly the same spot).
This is the first time in their recent revival that Everton have pulled a genuine "big" European side, and that meant around 6,000 Evertonians were here to bear witness. Sadly, what an anti-climax it proved to be. 

An Everton team decimated by injuries (10 first teamers were missing) was absolutely torn apart by an electrifying Benfica side. A sorry Everton side was playing for pride after a mere 51 minutes following a capitulation just after half time.

Javier Saviola scored the only goal of a fairly even first half, heading home a left wing cross. A second-half blitz just after the break saw the Blues concede three quick and easy goals from Cardozo (2) and Luisao to end the game as a contest. David Moyes' side offered nothing as an attacking force, apart from a Louis Saha shot which came back off the post. Saviola wrapped it up seven minutes from time with his second to complete the win for the homesters, and condemn Everton to their heaviest defeat in European competition.

By this time however, I was already on my way back to the bar for another Sagres.