Nigerian midfielder Christy Ucheibe made a decisive impact for SL Benfica in their hard-fought 3-1 victory over Famalicão in the Portuguese Liga BPI Women’s league on Sunday.

The league leaders wasted no time taking control of the game at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicão, as Marie-Yasmine Alidou d’Anjou opened the scoring within the first minute.

However, the hosts responded quickly, with Rita Dias netting an equalizer just two minutes later to set up a tense first half.

Benfica regained their lead shortly after the restart, as Nycole Raysla Sobrinho found the back of the net in the 49th minute. But it was Ucheibe’s late-game brilliance that sealed the victory for the reigning champions.

Introduced in the 82nd minute, the Nigerian international wasted no time announcing her presence.

With just moments left on the clock, Ucheibe delivered a perfectly timed assist to Andreia Norton, who slotted home Benfica’s third goal in the 90th minute to secure all three points.

The assist marked Ucheibe’s first of the season, adding to her earlier league goal, and underscored her growing influence in the Benfica midfield.

The victory sees SL Benfica maintain their grip at the top of the Liga BPI standings with 40 points from 14 matches.

They hold a three-point lead over fierce rivals Sporting CP, setting up a high-stakes showdown when the two sides meet on February 1, 2025.