Sporting Lisbon and FC Porto clocked up narrow 1-0 victories as they ramp up the pressure on the Eagles who are looking to record their fourth consecutive Primeria Liga title.
Vitória de Setúbal’s 23-year-old centre-back Frederico Venâncio stunned the Benfica crowd when he headed home midway through the second-half.
Benfica missed their top scorer Jonas, out injured, who would surely have converted several of the chances that went begging. The visitors held on to their lead until ten minutes from time when Benfica substitute Raul popped up to level matters.
Ryan Gauld, the young Scotsman on-loan for the season at Vitória de Setúbal from Sporting Lisbon, was on the bench but still waits to make his debut. Benfica despite having two-thirds of the possession failed to make their superiority count and will be hoping for better as they face a tricky trip to Madeira to play CD Nacional on Saturday.
Benfica last season loaned Ola John to Reading where he scored four goals in 28 appearances. The Dutch international has now returned to the English Championship in the service of Wolverhampton Wanderers until the end of the season. Travelling in the opposite direction is Arsenal forward Joel Campbell who has joined Sporting Lisbon on a season-long loan, subject to international clearance. The 24-year-old has been with the Gunners since 2011 but has struggled for first-team football. He scored four goals in 30 appearances for Arsenal last season.
Costa Rica international Campbell has previously been on loan at Lorient, Real Betis, Olympiakos and Villarreal. The Lions managed a narrow 1-0 win at P.Ferreira thanks to an Adrien goal on the stroke of half-time but will be looking to Campbell to give them more fire power upfront. FC Porto dominated their game against Estoril Praia but had to wait until six minutes from time to claim all three points when Silva found the back of the net.