In a thrilling chapter of the Clássico, Porto came from behind to defeat arch rivals Benfica 3-2 at Estádio da Luz in week twenty-one of the Liga Portuguesa. With the result the defending champions Porto extending their domestic winning streak to four and sit at the crest of the table three points clear Benfica.

In a heated start, Porto struck first blood with what will surely be a highlight goal of the campaign as Hulk, taking a corner on the right saw the ball rattle out the box before being pushed back to him just outside the area. Cutting back to the top of the box the former Tokyo Verdy man rifled a stunning left footed effort to the top near corner of the net that registered a jaw dropping 108 km/h. Following the early marker the action turned venomous with match-day referee Pedro Proença handing three yellow-cards in rapid succession to Porto as they fought diligently to control Benfica’s flowing attack. After seeing a number of high probably efforts come up for naught Benfica brought its loyal supporters to their feet with the leveller four minutes shy of the break. Via a corner on the right the ball was cleared outside the area where Maxi Pereira tried to drill the ball through the maze of bodies only to see it bound off Axel Witsel straight to Óscar Cardozo with the Paraguayan striker wasting no time to score from near the spot.

Benfica came out with intent after the break and only three minutes after the re-start Óscar Cardozo provided the hosts the one goal advantage as he out leapt his mark to powerfully head Pablo Aimar’s free kick from the right. In need of the equalizer, Dragões manager Vítor Pereira added James Rodríguez for Rolando at the fifty-eighth minute and in it was not long thereafter that the move paid rich dividends. Coming six minutes later James Rodríguez led a mercurial counter attack up the centre of the pitch, playing a clever one-two with Fernando before entering the Benfica area and powering the ball into the net. The azuis e broncos were in prime position with thirteen minutes remaining as Emerson was sent off with his second yellow card, forcing Benfica to play with a personnel disadvantage. Attacking with fierce intensity Porto went in search of the winner and with Kléber now in for João Moutinho they found what they were looking for with three minutes remaining in regulation time, albeit in a highly controversial fashion. After James Rodríguez was fouled by Nicolás Gaitán, the twenty-old Columbian delivered a free-kick from the left deep into the box that Maicon, questionably in an offside position, headed into the net to give Porto the lead they would not relinquish in a 3-2 victory.

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In yet another heated chapter of O Clássico, a late leveller from Nicolás Gaitán saw Benfica play Porto to a 2-2 draw, honours even, at the Estádio do Dragão in match-day six of the Liga Portuguesa. With the result the rivals remain undefeated and level in points on top of the table, though they could be met by Braga who will pull even should they defeat CD Nacional on Saturday.

In an exhilarating encounter Porto came out with a vengeance with the always dangerous Hulk surging down the right before cutting inside and delivering a low effort that looked destined for the bottom corner only to see Benfica goalkeeper Artur stretch out fully to push the ball to safety. To the delight of their supporters the Dragões dominated the run of the play and after seeing Artur foil Jorge Fucile before the half-hour with a stunning save with the goal beckoning, finally broke the deadlock eight minutes shy of the break. Via a free-kick to the left of the area from Fredy Guarín, Atlético Mineiro product Kléber notched his third goal of the campaign with a deft glancing header to the opposite corner of the net.

Quick off the re-start, Benfica levelled at the forty-seventh minute after Hulk was dispossessed in the final third and Pablo Aimar linking Nolito with the former Barcelona man enjoying a breakout campaign playing through Óscar Cardozo for the finish around the sprawling Porto goalkeeper. The hosts responded three minutes later as coming via a short corner Silvestre Varela delivered a low cross from near the right by-line across the goal mouth that Nicolás Otamendi redirected into the net. Now ahead, Porto hunted for the killing strike but after Artur halted Fredy Guarín effort the tide began to turn. With just over twenty minutes remaining in regulation Benfica manager Jorge Jesus summoned Bruno César and Javier Saviola in for Pablo Aimar and Nolito and it was not long until the visitors found the needed touch. Coming at the eighty-six minute Javier Saviola played through his countryman Nicolás Gaitán with a overhead flick that cost the Porto defended flat-footed and wthe former Boca Juniors man driving the ball off the bar past ‘keeper Helton to the back of the net to seal the 2-2 draw, honours even.

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In a shocking start to the Liga Portuguesa campaign freshly promoted Gil Vicente fought back in front of their home fans to play Lisbon powerhouse Benifca to a 2-2 draw, honours even, at Estadio do Lusitano de Evora.

Jorge Jesus’ side, tipped by many to overtake defending champion Porto following the loss of manager André Villas-Boas to Chelsea, featured new signings Artur between the woodwork, Ezequiel Garay, Emerson and Nolito in the starting eleven, with Belgian international Axel Witsel, formerly of Standard Liège and Enzo Pérez waiting in the wings.

Though without scoring sensation Óscar Cardozo, Benfica wasted little time in going in front as coming at the eighth minute Nolito, fresh from Barcelona was played through on the left channel and immediately sent the ball to the low, opposite corner of the net. After goalkeeper Artur was tested by Luis Carlos, Javier Saviola doubled Benfica’s margin at the twentieth minute as he pushed the ball out to Franco Jara on the right channel before surging forward and from close range redirecting a low cross into the net. However the hosts would not be deterred and eight minutes shy of the break Hugo Vieira latched onto a deflected right wing cross at the back post and immediately volleyed the ball to the roof the net. The hosts narrowly missed levelling in added time before the break but Luis Carlos booming drive from the right side of the area was stopped by Benfica ‘keeper Artur.

At the restart the Benfica tactician called upon Axel Witsel for Pablo Aimar in his debut for Águias as his side went in search of more attacking venom. Following a squandered chance by the visitors, recent signing Enzo Pérez from Estudiantes entered for Nicolas Gaitán but it Gil Vincent that would strike next. With sixteen minutes remaining, Laionel delivered an effort five metres outside the area beyond the outreached reach of Artur to the far right post. Buoyed with confidence the hosts pressed for the winning margin but the match concluded within further incident as a 2-2 draw, honours even.

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Benfica warmed up for the start of the Liga Portuguesa campaign with a confident 2-0 defeat of over Trabzonspor in the opening leg of their Champions League qualifying round tie at Estádio da Luz.

With new men Emerson, Enzo Pérez, Ezequiel Garay and Arturin the opening line-up, the Águias dictated the affair from the whistle but showed all the signs of rustiness with a series of poor finishes. A few minutes into the proceedings Nicolás Gaitán was gifted the ball with the goal beaconing but his lofted effort from the left flank was not up to snuff flew a morsel over the bar. Through much of the half, the story unfolded the same with Benfica churning for an opening but lacking clarity with final twist of the screw.

Nine minutes after the restart, Jorge Jesus added Nolito for Enzo Peréz and it was not long until the new man from Barcelona made a mark. In search of the go-ahead goal Javier Saviola saw his effort rasped off the woodwork before Nolito’s received the ball eight metres out and drilled it into the net with nineteen minutes remaining regulation time to give Benfica the one-goal advantage. At the eighty-eighth minute Nicolás Gaitán avenged his early miss as he accepted the ball from former Standard Liège man Axel Witsel and curled a remarkable effort from the edge of the area to double margin. The latter moments saw Artur going to stonewall the visitors efforts as Benfica went on the claim a resolute 2-0 victory.

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In a fearless, confident display, depending Liga Portuguesa champions Benfica defeated host União Leiria 3-0 at Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa. With the result, the Águias pull five points ahead of third-place Sporting into the second spot, eight off league leader Porto while the host hold down fourth.

Returning from the Christmas break, Benfica manager Jorge Jesus made
two adjustments to his line-up that defeated Rio Ave with Luisão and Carlos Martins coming in for Sidnei and Pablo Aimar.

From the match day referee Duarte Gomes opening whistle, Benfica were in firm control with goalkeeper Roberto resigned to the role of spectator in the opening half. Still Benfica was troubled to find the needed touch until the twenty seventh minute when Argentine international Javier Saviola sent a unstoppable volley from twelve metres on the right into the back of the net past goalkeeper Leiria Gottardi.

Though Benfica was unable to build on the lead through the break, the complexion of the encounter changed little with play decidedly one-way. Still the hosts had room for hope and after goalkeeper Gottardi made a stunning one handed save of Óscar Cardozo, with Javier Saviola rasping the rebound off the woodwork, they began to press forward, albeit with modest efficiency. If there was hope for the hosts, that was snuffed out with ten minutes remaining when Boca Juniors product Nicolás Gaitán poked the ball in after Óscar Cardozo headed by Javier Saviola’s cross from the right by-line. With the two-goal advantage, Benfica blossomed with confidence and in the second minute of added-time, Paraguayan international Óscar Cardozo finished powerfully from a left wing cross to seal the 3-0 victory.

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Benfica responded from recent woes to claim a 2-0 victory over rivals Sporting in the Derby de Lisboa with victory over Sporting at Estádio da Luz.

Jorge Jesus, manager of the defending Liga Portuguesa champions who had already lost on three occasions in the early campaign, made one change to his line-up that fell to Vitória de Guimarães last week with Cesar Peixoto coming in for Nicolas Gaitán. Sporting manager, Paulo Sérgio made no changes to his starting eleven that played Olhanense to a scoreless draw.

Juggling the Benfica formation with Cesar Peixoto at left-back and Fábio Coentrão into a midfield role, the Águias tore forward and opened the scoring only thirteen minutes in. Coming via a poorly cleared corner, Óscar Cardozo answered the critics when he poached on the errant ball to send it into the back of the net.

Five minutes after the restart the Paraguayan international notched his second of the evening as he latched onto Javier Saviola provision and from the left side the area, sent the ball in off the mitts of Sporting ‘keeper Rui Patrício. Though the Sporting ‘keeper likely should have done better with the goal, he made up with a brilliant stop of Fábio Coentrão. Excluding a poor miss by Liédson, Sporting efforts were primarily of the low probability kind and without further incident the match concluded with Benfica claiming Derby de Lisboa with a 2-0 victory over Sporting.

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Defending Liga Portuguesa champion Benfica dreadful start to the new campaign continued with a 2-1 loss to Vitória de Guimarães at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques. The loss, Benfica’s third in four contests, sends them eleventh in the table, whilst Guimarães nudges to within a point of league leader Porto.

From the opening whistle Jorge Jesus’s men were under siege by the motivated hosts. Pushing forward, Manuel Machado’s side found the Benfica midfield a jumbled mess, to which João Ribeiro cut the visitors to ribbons. Following a series of quality efforts Vitória de Guimarães went in front 1-0 a minute past the quarter hour as Edgar deftly lifted João Ribeiro’s cross from the right over the sprawling Benfica goalkeeper. Gradually the complexion of the affair turned in the Águias direction and at the thirty-second minute Javier Saviola, at the back post, volleyed a corner from the left into the back of the net after Guimarães ‘keeper Nilson misplayed the ball. With the match now level, Benfica continued to dominate through to the break but thanks to some quality goalkeeping by Nilson, the sides went to the change rooms deadlocked.

Benfica continued to show good vision as play begin in the second half but fortune seemed to evade them. After Carlos Martins was spilled in the box, surprisingly not seeing a penalty awarded, Guimarães narrowly missed taking the lead shy of the hour when Benfica ‘keeper Roberto stopped Bruno Teles. After a series of quality efforts, the hosts they would not relinquish with seven minutes remaining in regulation time as Rui Miguel rose high to head in Bruno Teles cross from the left. For the balance of time, Benfica was kept at bay and Vitória de Guimarães claimed the full three points with a 2-1 victory.

Defending Liga Portuguesa champions, Benfica responded from their recent woes with a reaffirming 3-0 defeat of Vitória de Setúbal at Estádio da Luz.

Coming off last weeks demoralizing loss to Nacional da Madeira, Benfica manager Jorge Jesus summoned goalkeeper Júlio César in for beleaguered Roberto along with Eduardo Salvio for Ruben Amorim.

The Águias started quickly with Óscar Cardozo giving them the lead at the fourth minute as he professional headed Nicolás Gaitán to give them the 1-0 lead. Though Benfica continued to enjoy the run of the play, midway of the half Maxi Pereira sent a deplorable back pass to Júlio César and in the subsequent scramble the ‘keeper drew a straight red-card as well as a penalty for upending Zeca. With the stage now set for Roberto’s return between the woodwork, the Spaniard dove to his right to spot Hugo Leal’s effort from the spot and effectively turn the momentum back in Benfica’s favour. Just shy of the break, Luisão rose high to deliver a booming header of Pablo Aimar’s corner from the right to give Benfica the 2-0 lead after the break.

At the re-start, the Benfica tactician summoned Ruben Amorim for Javier Saviola and despite the man disadvantage they continued to carve out openings. Three minutes shy of the hour, Nicolás Gaitán played a smooth as silk one-two with Fábio Coentrão before sending a cross that Pablo Aimar turned into the net. For the balance of the evening, Benfica locked down the visitors advances to claim the 3-0 victory.

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Benfica’s opening day defence of their Liga Portuguesa crown was thrown asunder they fell 2-1 to Académica de Coimbra at the Estádio da Luz.

Jorge Jesus’ side, without Ángel di María and Ramires who left during the summer transfer, lacked the same attacking venom before the break that saw them undefeated at home last year. Following a Fábio Coentrão effort came up for naught, the visitors took the lead six minutes shy of the half-hour Miguel Fidalgo took advantage of lax defending to nod a cross into the net. Águias anxious supporters grew dissatisfied as the half wore on and let their side know as they went to the change rooms down a goal at the break.

After the re-start, Mr. Jesus summoned recently signing Franco Jara from Arsenal de Sarandí for César Peixoto and quickly Benfica began to assert its authority. In rapid-fire successive, David Addy was the recipient of two yellow-cards, forcing Os Estudantes from Coimbra to play a man down for the balance of regulation time. Two minutes past the hour, Benfica levelled the contest as Franco Jara redirected Fábio Coentrão’s cross past visiting goalkeeper Romuald Peiser. Now level, Benfica stormed forward and though they kept the Coimbra net under siege, finishing was off and the match seemed destined for a draw. Suddenly, in the first minute of added time Laionel launched an audacious effort from thirty-five metres that rasped off the left post and into the net to give Académica de Coimbra the shocking 2-1 victory over Benfica.

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With a 2-1 win over Rio Ave at Estádio da Luz, Benfica was crowned Liga Portuguesa champions for the first time since 2005, its thirty-second domestic title. The Águias ended Porto’s dominance that has seen them claim the title for the last four consecutive years with Braga finishing four points off at the second spot.

Entering the match with a narrow two-point lead over Braga, Benfica struck fast in front of the packed stadium and went in front 1-0 at the third minute. After a loose ball rattled in the box, Óscar Cardozo poached on the opportunity and just before Rio Ave defender Gasper could clear, the Paraguayan sniper sent it in. Eight minutes later Wíres José de Souza received a straight red-card for a high challenge on Ramires, resulting in the visitors playing the balance of the match with ten men. Benfica continued to threaten but whether it was nerves or an off day, finishing was lacking and they could not capitalize. After a series of efforts came up short, Rio Ave startled the home fans as Ricardo Chaves nodded in a long free kick from the left with eighteen minutes left on the clock. Realizing they needed a goal to guarantee the championship, Benfica stormed back and at the seventy-eighth minute Óscar Cardozo lodged his thirty-second goal of the campaign as he turned a close range rebound following a corner from the left. Benfica held on for remaining time to claim the championship.

For Jorge Jesus, it is remarkable victory and another feather in the cap of Portugal’s most successful club but they face a great hurdle in keeping their squad together during the summer transfer window. Veterans Javier Saviola and Pablo Aimar came up big this year and along with young guns Ángel Di María, David Luiz and Óscar Cardozo will be high priority targets and Benfica faces a mighty tussle to keep them.

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