Benfica boss Rui Vitória brought in Cristian Lema alongside Rúben Dias at the heart of the defence, whilst FC Porto chief Sérgio Conceição relied on Tiquinho Soares following the long-term injury to Vincent Aboubakar.
The Eagles conjured up the first clear-cut chance of the game two minutes before the break. Franco Cervi’s first-time pass set Seferovic racing through on goal but the Swiss striker shot wide. More intensity was introduced in the second-half and Gabriel almost gave Benfica the lead but Iker Casillas made a great save to keep the score-line goalless. Finally the goal that was threatening came, just after the hour mark, when Pizzi set-up Seferovic to finish at the near-post.
The Dragons attempted a reply via another set-piece, with Danilo again the target for Telles, but the defensive midfielder could only head wide when rising above his markers. Benfica went a man down for a third consecutive game, following Lema’s second bookable offence for a foul on André Pereira but the Eagles saw out the last ten minutes to go top of the league, on goal difference from SC Braga, with seventeen points from seven games.
Sporting travelled to the Algarve following their dramatic last-gasp Europa League victory in the Ukraine where they turned a losing position in the 89th minute into a 2-1 victory against Vorskla Poltava. It made it two Europa League wins out of two for the Lions with late substitute Jovane Cabral scoring the winner in stoppage time. Portimonense recorded only their second win of the season when they beat Sporting in Portimão.
Goals from Manafá (30’) and Shoya Nakajima (44’) gave the home side a two goal lead at the break but just after the hour mark Montero pulled a goal back for the Lions.
Portimonense restored their two goal advantage when 24-year-old Japanense international Shoya got his second goal of the game seven minutes from time.
In a late flurry, Sebastian Coates added a second goal for Sporting before the home side wrapped up all three points thanks to substitute João Carlos, whose goal deep into stoppage time sent the fans home happy after a memorable victory.