Angel Di Maria’s knack for scoring goals in important games stayed the same as Benfica beat Porto 2-0 on Wednesday to win the Portuguese Super Cup for the ninth time.
The lanky 35-year-old used to play for Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG, and Juventus. He was an unsung hero everywhere he played, but his four goals helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup and three other titles: the 2008 Olympics final, the Copa America, and the Copa America Centenario. 2021 will be the last Copa America, and 2022 will be the last Finalissima.
At the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro that night, Di Maria’s goal in the 61st minute helped break the tie. When he got the ball while running, he quickly curled it into the bottom corner of the far post, making the goalie for Porto sad.
Petar Musa, who came from Croatia, won the game in the seventh minute. Benfica fans gave Di Maria a standing ovation when he was taken off the field during extra time with the score at 2-0.
Porto finished the game with 10 players because Pepe got a red card and Galeno’s late goal was taken away.
Nicolas Otamendi, the leader of Benfica, said that his fellow countryman is “the one with important goals” after the game.