Benfica B 0-0 Sunderland highlights and reaction - Goalless draw in Portugal

Signing off

Thanks for joining us. To close, here’s the stories from tonight’s action

Lee Burge

He enjoyed that. Played well too

Honeyman update

Honeyman left behind due to a knee injury. He needed an injection back in the UK. He couldn’t have done any training if he had come out to Portugal.

Match report

What James thought of tonight’s draw

Match gallery

Pics from the match

Stick with us for reaction

Plenty to follow including Ross’ thoughts and any updates he might have on transfers/Honeyman/other injuries

Full-time: Benfica B 0-0 Sunderland

All square in the end then. Not a great performance, but also worth noting that’s a good side that finished fourth in the Portuguese second tier last term, so not all negative.

Excellent stop by Burge from Tavares. Offside flag was up against Tavares in any case.

Stephen Elliott's verdict

Still 0-0 and not long to go, here’s Elliott’s verdict

Watmore off the bar!

Watmore through on goal, he lifts his shot over the keeper but it hits the bar, Sammut tries to slide it in but can’t get enough on it and the keeper gets back to grab the ball.

Kimpioka penalty claim

The young striker went down in the area but referee immediately said no

Sunderland subs

Five more changes

Kimpioka bright

Kimpioka has looked bright since coming on for Grigg at the break. He seems to be in the hole, with Maguire closer to Wyke.

He’s just showing a lot more urgency and will to get on the ball and make things happen.

Ozturk sends a shot narrowly wide from distance.

Loovens yellow

Loovens booked for a foul on Santos.

Second half is under way

Here we go then. Just the four changes.

Half time changes

Four changes at the break for SAFC

First half verdict

Very low key and slow tempo to that first half.

Sunderland playing three at the back again but look a little vulnerable on the wings to Benfica’s pacy wingers and Burge has had to make two good saves where they’ve got in behind from out wide.

In the final third, Grigg and Wyke are up front, but if this is two players with a big point to prove in pre-season they’ve not shown it in that first half. Very lacklustre and barely in the game.

Maguire has been bright when he’s seen the ball, but that’s not been often enough.

This still feels early in pre-season, but technically, itra-squad friendly behind-closed-doors included, this is pre-season game three of five and the new season is just over two weeks away. So big improvements needed. Expect plenty of changes this half.

First half player ratings

Here’s how James Hunter rated the players

Half-time: Benfica B 0-0 Sunderland

Goalless at the break then.

Maguire sends a 35-yd free-kick just over the bar.

Break in play

A Benfica player is down receiving treatment just before the break, so we have a little stoppage in play. Injured bring down Maguire as he tried to break and when play resumes SAFC have a FK in a dangerous position.

Jordan Willis

The new man pictured in action

Corner from the right, it comes off Lystcov’s shoulder and loops over the bar.

Long-range shot from Gooch hits the top of the bar and goes over.

Smart save Burge

Conceicao released in the l/h channel, gets into the box and hits a low shot which Burge saves.

Robson yellow

Robson booked for a foul on Henrique. Challenge came after a poor heavy touch, but still looked extremely harsh to even give a free-kick, never mind a yellow.

Shot from Ferreira inside the area on the right from a tight angle deflects off a defender behind for a corner.

Elsewhere

Just away from the action momentarily, Pompey have made a signing. Their new winger is expected to be replacing Jamal Lowe, who is expected to leave this summer. He’ll be a huge miss to them, so big shoes to fill...

Verdict so far

Midway through the first half and it’s still goalless. A couple of decent chances at each end, a good save from each keeper. Benfica B went closest when Gooch cleared off the line from Alvaro.