Farcical scenes in Portugal as Benfica game ends after 46 minutes

The game between Belenenses SAD and Benfica in the Primeira Liga ended early in the second half when the home side – who started with just nine players and were 7-0 down – no longer had enough players left.

Due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Belenenses SAD squad, the club were only able to play nine players at home to a full-strength Benfica. Bizarrely, Belenenses SAD didn't ask for a postponement to the game despite not having a full XI.

It was a surreal sight when Benfica kicked off against nine mostly youth or reserve players, which included a goalkeeper playing outfield. Even more so when Belenenses scored an own goal after just 30 seconds.

Unsurprisingly, it was attack vs. defence and Benfica scored seven in the end Haris Seferovic (x2), Julian Weigl, and Darwin Núñez (x3) were able to fill their boots in a surreal 45 minutes of football.

After half-time, Belenenses came out late and this time with even fewer, this time just seven – one player for every goal – apparently due to injury. Then, immediately after the restart, another Belenenses SAD player went down injured, causing the game to be called off due to the home side not fielding a sufficient number of players.

Manchester City's tweet explained much of the bemusement that the game even took place. The midfielder said "What is this? Am I the only one who doesn't understand why the game hasn't been postponed?"

O que é isto? Sou o único a não perceber o porquê do jogo não ter sido adiado? 🤦🏻‍♂️

— Bernardo Silva (@BernardoCSilva) November 27, 2021