A Group C clash between Benfica and Auckland City at Orlando, Fla., was delayed due to inclement weather Friday, with Benfica holding a 1-0 halftime lead.
Angel Di Maria scored Benfica’s goal from the penalty spot against the semi-pro opponents from New Zealand, who lost their opener to Bayern Munich 10-0. It was De Maria’s second of the tournament.
After Auckland’s Nathan Garrow made seven first-half saves, Di Maria finally put Benfica in front in the eighth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Gianluca Prestianni won the opportunity, slicing into the right corner of the penalty area and weathering Haris Zeb’s late sliding challenge.
Di Maria calmly converted, allowing Garrow to guess in the wrong direction before dispatching his side-footed effort.
That provided an end to some growing early frustration from the Portuguese favorites after a succession of missed chances and 18 total first-half shot attempts.
Amid that stretch, Álvaro Carreras picked up his second caution of the tournament, meaning he’ll be suspended for Benfica’s third match against River Plate on Tuesday.
–Field Level Media
