Fulham were beaten by a strong Benfica side in the Algarve Cup on Sunday, claiming the runner-up trophy for their weekend’s efforts.
Rafa Silva’s early goal was supplemented by a Goncalo Ramos brace to put the Portuguese outfit 3-0 up at the interval.
Roman Yaremchuk made it four just before the hour mark, before an Aleksandar Mitrović header from a corner gave Fulham a goal. Henrique Araujo then added a fifth to secure The Eagles the Algarve Trophy.
In a lively atmosphere with circa 13000 people in attendance, it was Fulham’s opposition who got off to a flying start, scoring after three minutes courtesy of Rafa’s placed finish into the bottom right.
Tom Cairney made a surging run forward ten minutes later, finding some space in the box, but Nicolas Otamendi managed to snuff out the danger at the vital point.
21 minutes in came Benfica’s second, as Ramos rose highest to nod in João Mario’s corner at the near post.
The Portuguese side were showing plenty of tenacity in the attacking sense, and could’ve added a third if not for a brave Fulham block to deny Ramos a second.
But moments later his second did come, following some neat interplay between the goal scorers, as Rafa squared it to Ramos to make it three.
Fulham started the second half in an improved manner, and had a decent chance to get one back after 55 minutes. Harry Wilson burst through with trademark pace and played it across to Mitrović, whose shot whistled narrowly wide of the left post.
Two minutes later and the lack of a Fulham finish was punished up the other end. On the breakaway, Yaremchuk was on hand to tuck away a fourth of the evening.
Marco Silva’s men did get one back deservedly, as Andreas Pereira’s whipped corner from the left was nodded in at the near post by Mitrović, very much picking up from where he left off last campaign.
But there was to be a final sting in the tale as Araujo made it five moments later, securing the victory for a very strong side.
Fulham now knuckle down for the rest of their pre-season tour in Portugal, concluding with a match in Estoril in a week’s time.
