An early goal from Caroline Moller today gave Benfica a 1-0 victory over Sporting de Braga, in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Portuguese women's football cup, with the Minho team wasting a penalty. The 'eagles', who gained an advantage to be present in the final, practically started to win, scoring when a minute and a half into the game had not yet been played: a cross from the right and Caroline Moller, unopposed in the middle of the central defenders, headed the ball without appeal to Patrícia Morais (2m). Sporting de Braga reacted and, after bringing down Carolina Rocha in the area, had a great opportunity to equalize, but, when converting the respective penalty, Malu Schmidt allowed Lena Pauels (14m) to save. Benfica, with Cristina Martin-Prieto being a headache for the Minho defense, created a lot of danger again in the 26th minute, with a shot crossed by Lúcia Alves that was saved by Patrícia Morais. The home team came close to the 'red' goal in the 36th minute and 39th minute, but Carolina Rocha shot too high from a good position in the area and Leah Lewis headed wide. In the second half, Benfica came close to second and again through a header from Caroline Moller (60m). The second half dropped in intensity and the changes that the coaches made to their respective teams did not have much impact. More experienced, Benfica, who leads the championship alone, controlled the match, not allowing the 'arsenalistas' to get close to danger in their area. The two teams had already faced each other twice this season and with the same result (3-2), one in favor of Braga, at home, in the group stage of the League Cup, three weeks ago, and another against Lisbon, at home, for the championship, around two months ago. The second leg takes place on March 18th and the team that qualifies will compete in the final, on May 17th, with Vitória de Guimarães or FC Porto, who today drew 2-2 at the Minho stadium.