Richard Ríos breathes a sigh of relief in Portugal with a spectacular assist in Benfica's victory: video

Benfica secured their place in the semi-finals of the Portuguese League Cup on Wednesday after beating Tondela 3-0, in a match that was more complex than the scoreline suggests and in which Colombian Richard Ríos played a key role.

The team led by José Mourinho dominated the game from start to finish, but only managed to break the opposing resistance thanks to the boost provided in the second half by the Colombian, who once again left his mark with a good performance that he needed to quell the criticism.

For much of the match, Benfica struggled against Tondela's organized defense and the reliable hands of young Spanish goalkeeper Lucas Cañizares , son of the legendary Santi Cañizares. The goalkeeper was the standout player of the first half, thwarting attacks from João Mário and Pavlidis, while the visiting defense closed down space with discipline.

Possession of the ball did not translate into goals and impatience began to show in the Lisbon team.

The first bit of relief came just before halftime. A handball inside the area by Afonso Rodrigues was ruled a penalty, and captain Nicolás Otamendi stepped up to take it. With his characteristic composure, the Argentine opened the scoring (1-0), allowing Benfica to head into the locker room with a narrow lead and a bit of breathing room.

However, the second half again saw Benfica struggling in attack. Mourinho, aware of the need for greater movement and connection between the lines, brought on Richard Ríos, who changed the rhythm of the match.

The Colombian, who arrived at the club this season, assumed the role of link in the midfield, giving greater fluidity to the circulation of the ball and physical presence in the recovery.

From the moment he came on, Benfica regained depth and found attacking solutions. Ríos not only balanced the midfield, but also dared to dribble and thread passes between the lines, creating three clear chances before his decisive intervention.

In the 83rd minute, after a quick combination on the left, the Colombian moved into space and, after a double feint, made a precise assist, setting up the Belgian Dodi Lukebakio, who finished with a powerful cross to seal the game (2-0).

Ríos's technical skill—a perfectly controlled touch and a perfectly timed pass—was applauded by the crowd at the Estádio da Luz. He not only played a part in the second goal, but also maintained high pressure and tactical discipline until the final whistle.

In added time, with the opponent already overwhelmed, the Greek Vangelis Pavlidis closed the scoring (3-0) after an assist from Leandro Barreiro.

With this result, Benfica advances to the semifinals along with Braga, who thrashed Santa Clara 5-0, and Sporting Lisbon, who easily defeated Alverca on Tuesday. The final spot will be decided on December 4 between Porto and Vitória de Guimarães.

The victory confirms the good form of Mourinho's team, who have gone six games without conceding a goal and are showing a growing balance between experience and youth. But beyond the result, the match put Richard Ríos' name front and center: his introduction revitalized Benfica and was crucial in securing qualification.

The Colombian midfielder, who had seen intermittent playing time in recent matches, seized his opportunity with confidence. His ability to win back possession, dribble, and provide assists confirmed the reasons why Mourinho insisted on signing him.

“Ríos gives the team what we needed: energy and a sense of the game,” the coach declared at the end of the match.

With performances like this, Richard Ríos is regaining his confidence. Benfica, meanwhile, is progressing steadily and dreams of retaining its League Cup title.

*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from the EFE news agency