With two games to go, Benfica know that victory in Madeira against Marítimo on Sunday and a home win against Nacional the following week will guarantee a third consecutive title. Sporting kept the pressure on with a 3-1 win at FC Porto but face a tricky last game away at SC Braga.
Benfica, who had won five of their last six matches by a single goal difference, eased home 1-0 against Vitória de Guimarães thanks to Jardel’s header from a pinpoint Gaitán delivery early in the second-half.
Jardel almost went from hero to villain as a mistake let in Guimarães winger Hurtado but the Peruvian was denied by a goal-line clearance from André Almeida. Benfica substitute Raul Jiménez nearly put the result beyond doubt but was denied by the crossbar. Ten straight wins is certainly title-winning form. Sporting travelled to the Dragon Stadium, to take on third-placed FC Porto, knowing that the last time they had won there was nine years ago.
A fine performance saw the Lions run out 3-1 winners and set a new points record (80) for the club. Sporting remain second but can put huge pressure on Benfica ahead of the Eagles’ trip to Madeira by going top if they beat Vitória de Setúbal on Saturday at the Alvalade.
Arouca all but booked their place in next season’s Europa League with a 3-0 home victory over Nacional. Two goals from Walter Gonzalez and a Mateus penalty gave Lito Vidigal’s side three precious points. Paços de Ferreira currently occupies the final Europa qualification spot after beating Belenenses 2-0 in Lisbon.
At the bottom it now looks very much as if Académica and Tondela will be going down, both five points from safety with two matches remaining. Tondela’s excellent run of form seems to have come too late to save them.
União da Madeira’s victory over Académcia virtually condemned the Coimbra side to second-tier football next season. A brace from Élio and a Gian Martins goal fired the islanders to a 3-1 victory. Quite amazing to think that the small island off north-west Africa could again have three teams in the Primeira Liga next season.