The 2023-24 European season is finally upon us, but we’ve already witnessed some interesting games. Shortly after the FA Community Shield, lifelong rivals Benfica and Porto clashed in the Portuguese Super Cup. Once teammates at Real Madrid, Angel Di Maria and Pepe were on opposite sides at the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro.
The reigning Primeira Liga champions got the upper hand, thanks to goals from the Argentine star and Petar Musa. The Lisbon-based outfit hit twice in just seven minutes in the second half.
While it was a perfect night for Di Maria in his first official appearance since returning to Portugal, Pepe had a forgettable game. After seeing the red card in the final minutes, the veteran defender taunted Benfica fans.
Video: Pepe shows Porto shirt to Benfica fans after seeing red card
Pepe saw the red card in stoppage time, taking his shirt off and showing it to Benfica supporters on his way off the field. However, that didn’t prevent the rivals from celebrating another title.
Porto will have a chance to redeem themselves in the Portuguese top-flight, in which Benfica will try to defend their crown. The 2023-24 Primeira Liga gets underway this weekend, so it will be interesting to see how the course of the campaign develops.
Video: Di Maria’s goal for Benfica against Porto
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
