Fulham defeated Benfica 1-0 in a lively preseason encounter at Estadio Algarve on Friday night as reported for Fulham FC by Geoff Pruce
Alex Iwobi struck the only goal of the game, in a first half dominated by the Whites.
The Portuguese giants were much improved after the restart but were frustrated by some fine Bernd Leno goalkeeping.
A slick Rodrigo Muniz turn in his own half saw him spin in behind the Benfica defence inside five minutes, but his attempt to free Iwobi saw the ball deflect behind for a corner, from which Tom Cairney’s delivery was flicked against the post.
After a long range Iwobi strike flew over, it was from another corner that Fulham threatened next, Muniz stooping to head Cairney’s cross into the grateful arms of Anatoliy Trubin.
Fulham’s new number nine then took advantage of a defensive mistake to tee up Iwobi, but he was off balance and could only volley off target.
Benfica’s first sight of goal came on the 18 minute mark when Gianluca Prestianni opened his body up on the edge of the box, but it was a routine catch for Leno.
Two minutes later, a clinical counter attack provided the breakthrough for the Whites. Terrific running from Adama Traore saw him break through the lines and create a four on two situation in our favour. He fed Iwobi who played a cool one-two with Antonee Robinson before slotting inside the near post.
Fulham were by far the better side and had half chances to double the lead, with Cairney shooting straight at Trubin and Muniz placing one wide.
A rare threat from Benfica came when Vangelis Pavlidis caught a volley sweetly from a very acute angle, but strong fists from Leno were able to beat it away.
Benfica were much better after the break and had already threatened twice when Prestianni lashed in a low drive from 20 yards that managed to hit both posts before being cleared to safety.
As we approached the hour mark, Fredrik Aursnes won a high press and rounded Leno, but Bassey positioned himself brilliantly to clear his shot off the line.
They got another effort on target on 66 minutes when Orkun Kokcu connected sweetly with what was one of his first touches since coming off the bench, but Leno got down quickly to make a superb reflex save.
Marco Silva made a lot of changes in the second 45, and three of his substitutes combined for our best chance of the half. Ryan Sessegnon got beyond his man and delivered a deep cross for Raul Jimenez to nod back across goal, which Wilson met only to have his header clawed away expertly by Trubin.
Not to be outdone, Leno tipped over a vicious swirling effort from Martim Neto at full stretch at the other end, to ensure his side won the Troféu do Algarve.
Fulham will be back in the same stadium on Monday evening, when we face Sevilla.
Fulham FC: Leno; Tete (Castagne 73'), Diop, Bassey, Robinson (Sessegnon 74'); Lukic (Reed 74'), King (Andreas 60'), Cairney (Pajaziti 79'); Adama (Wilson 74'), Muniz (Raul 73'), Iwobi (Godo 79')
Subs: Benda, Borto, Bowat, Araujo, Esenga, Castagne, Sessegnon, Reed, Andreas, Pajaziti, Godo, Wilson, Raul