Coming off their shocking destruction of Porto, Sporting overwhelmed crosstown foes Belenenses 4-0 at the Estádio do Restelo via four Liédson goals in the second-half. With the result Sporting hold down the fourth place, whilst Belenenses at in the bottom of the Liga Portuguesa table.

After a scoreless opening half the Leões opened the scoring at the fiftieth minute as Liédson, from six metres out, volleyed in a cross from the right wing. Sporting began to surge forward in an all out attack and eleven minutes later, a corner from the left banged around the box before Liédson slammed into the back of the net from close range. With nineteen minutes remaining, the striker received the ball in the area before driving in to make it 3-0. Finally, to complete Liédson’s remarkable evening he turned in a cross from the right by-line with a minute remaining in regulation to give Sporting the 4-0 victory.

Both sides return to play on Sunday as Belenenses travels to face Olhanense at Estádio José Arcanjo, whilst Sporting welcomes Vitória de Guimarães to the Estádio José Alvalade.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved

Benfica rebounded from the disappointing draw to Vitória de Setúbal with a comfortable 1-0 victory over relegation threatened Belenenses at the Estadio da Luz. With the victory Benfica climb four points about Braga at the top of the Liga Portuguesa table, whilst Belenenses sit at the bottom.

Jorge Jesus’ side grabbed the lead at the tenth minute as Ramires surged down the right channel before sending a cross from the by-line that Óscar Cardozo headed in from four metres. After the opening goal Fábio Coentrão and Javi García had chances to increase the lead in the next quarter hour but finishing was off-course. Just before the half-hour João Fajardo squandered a gifted chance to level and for much of the day Benfica was comfortable bottling up Belém.

At the break, Jorge Jesus adjusted his line-up with Weldon summoned for Cesar Peixoto and the former Belenenses created a multitude of problems for the visitors. However with nary an advance threatening goalkeeper Quim, Benfica claimed the easy 1-0 victory.

Benfica return to play next Thursday as they visit Hertha Berlin in the Europa League before a two week layoff in the Liga Portuguesa.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved

Braga fought off being a man down for much of the match to defeat relegation threatened Belenenses 3-1 at Estádio do Restelo in Lisbon. With the result, Domingos Paciência’s side climb within a single point of Benfica at the top of the Liga Portuguesa table, whilst Belenenses rest at the bottom.

Despite their lowly position, the hosts put forth a superb performance that defied their problematic campaign. Just past quarter-hour mark, Belenenses was gifted a chance the lead when Moisés was adjudged a penalty for bringing down Lima in the area, with the veteran sent off quickly with a second yellow-card. However, in the ensuing effort Braga goalkeeper Eduardo saved Lima’s effort in what turned out to be a brilliant evening for him. The hosts continued to dominate the run of play but were unable to breakthrough the curmudgeonly defence of Braga. At the fortieth minute Domingos Paciência called upon Matheus for Miguel Hugo Viana and in added-time Luis Aguiar, on-loan from Dinamo Moscow, delivered a free kick into the box that Paulo César nodded in for the 1-0 lead.

Not deterred, Belenenses showed attacking venom returning from the break but once again, Eduardo walled up to deny their advances. After holding back two goal bound efforts, Matheus surged down the right flank before firing acute angled effort into the net from ten metres. With seventeen minutes remaining Wason Rentería put the match away as he dislodged the ball from Marcos António, before coming in off the left flank and sending a Bestesque chip over ‘keeper Bruno Vale to give Braga the comfortable 3-0 lead. Belenenses fought gamely to get on the scoreboard and after a number of efforts came up short, Jean Paul Yontcha sent in a rebound at the eightieth minute. The hosts continued to pressure but the match concluded without further incident as Braga laid claim to the three points with a 3-1 victory.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved