Twenty-five top
European clubs
from England,
France, Germany, Italy and Spain had scouts at the top-of-the-table clash.
Eleven English Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Everton and Spurs were represented at the game as they looked to identify the latest hot talent.
In the last eight years, Benfica alone have sold fourteen of their most sought-after players for over €340m. Right up to kick-off Benfica and Porto had concerns over the fitness of their main strikers, Jonas’ absence opened up the opportunity for Raúl Jiménez to prolong his recent patch of good form at the pinnacle of Benfica’s attack, meanwhile Moussa Marega returned to the starting line-up for FC Porto.
During the first-half the best use of possession remained with the home side but both teams squandered chances as Pizzi, one-on-one with the goalkeeper, failed to guide a close-range volley past FC Porto keeper Casillas, whilst at the other end Marega steered Ricardo’s cross wide a minute before the interval.
In the second-half, the Eagles went close through Jardel as the game began to open up. Brahimi edged the Dragons closer to the opener in the sixty-sixth minute as he curled a shot just wide of the target.
With the two sides staring at a goalless draw, Héctor Herrera was able to stun the home fans with a ferocious strike from the edge of the box to place Porto in front in the final minute of normal time, leaving Benfica just four minutes to conjure up a response.
The added time was enough to squeeze in a penalty shout on Andrija Zivkovic, floored in a collision with Ricardo prior to the referee’s snub, as Sérgio Conceição’s men held on to secure a valuable victory over their rivals.
FC Porto, now two points clear at the top with four games to play, face a difficult trip to Madeira on 29 April to play Marítimo. In the past five seasons they have failed to secure a Primeira Liga victory on the island having drawn three and lost twice. Sporting were involved in a feisty encounter with Lisbon rivals Belenenses.
The home side took the lead after eight minutes through their Algerian international Hassan Yebda.
Bas Dost netted his twenty-fifth goal of the season for Sporting five minutes later and Gelson Martins edged the Lions in front in the sixteenth minute. Acuña made it 3-1 just before the interval.
Belenenses hit back midway through the second-half as Lica and Fredy levelled the score before Hassan Yebda received his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card.
Four minutes later Bruno Fernandes slotted home the winning goal for Sporting which leaves them just three points behind arch-rivals Benfica and that all important game between the two teams at the Alvalade in early May.