Sporting 2-2 Benfica: The pressure on Benfica has increased on Sunday evening in the Portuguese title fight. Roger Schmidt’s team missed a first chance to become champions on a visit to Sporting Portugal. The gap with FC Porto is only two points.
Benfica drop first title point in blistering derby
Benfica needed to win at Estadio José Alvalade to end the day as champions of Portugal. After two consecutive defeats in the first half of April, Porto’s lead had shrunk, but four consecutive league wins heading into Sunday night’s derby had given them confidence. However, when visiting Sporting, Schmidt’s team fell through the ice.
Sporting had the better chances and took the lead in the 39th minute through former Barcelona player Francisco Trincão. The 23-year-old attacker initially encountered goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos and picked up the ball in the rebound himself, to make it 1-0 from close range. Just before the break, Sporting dealt another blow. Ousmane Diomande headed in from a corner by Nuno Santos: 2-0.
Second half
Schmidt, Gonçalo Guedes and Petar Musa, brought in two fresh attackers halfway through the second half in the hope of turning the tide. It was not one of the attackers but Fredrik Aursnes who brought the tension back. The midfielder, who came over from Feyenoord, headed in from a cross by Alejandro Grimaldo. That was only his third goal of the season for the 27-year-old Norwegian.
Benfica increased the pressure on Sporting in the final phase, with effect. João Neves made it 2-2 in the 94th minute from a messy situation. That was it, so Benfica is not yet champion and the decision will fall on the last matchday. Benfica will play at home against Santa Clara next Sunday. Porto will then compete in-house against sub-topper Vitória Guimarães. Sporting can no longer finish third after the draw and will therefore miss out on Champions League football anyway.
For Sporting CP it was the thirteenth unbeaten game in a row. Sporting CP have four wins and one draw in their last five matches, while Benfica have four wins and one draw. This was Sporting CP’s fifth draw this season. Sporting CP will play against Vizela in the next match on Sunday, May 28 at the Estádio Do Vizela. Benfica will play a home match against Santa Clara at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (da Luz) on the same day.
