The recent furore around referees in Portugal might not have allowed for such an occasion to be so apparent, but Benfica’s visit to the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques stood as one of the biggest meetings associated to the race for the league title.
The Eagles didn’t disappoint, relying on a goal apiece from strike duo Kostas Mitroglou and Jonas to take Vitória de Guimarães down with a 2-0 victory on Saturday night.
Succeeding proceedings in Guimarães, all eyes were on official, Artur Soares Dias, as Paços de Ferreira hosted FC Porto, but it was the latter who took their eye off the ball in a goalless draw that sees Benfica take up a six-point-lead atop of the Liga NOS table.
Sporting were also out to nurse their wounds from the controversial midweek elimination from the Taça da Liga, cooling the air with a 2-1 win at home to Feirense to close in on 2nd placed Porto.
Here’s how the action unfolded.
Vit. Guimarães 0-2 Benfica
Not since the opening day of the season have Vitória de Guimarães fallen on the wrong side of a result at home, losing last to local rivals Braga by 1-0, so it would more than likely require Benfica to be on their A-game if they wished to come away from ‘the Castle’ with the desired three points.
Despite Francisco Soares breaching Benfica’s high line on occasions early on, it was the visitors who could’ve taken the lead within the first 10 minutes after Pizzi’s lifted pass to an outstretched Eduardo Salvio almost betrayed the on-rushing Douglas between the sticks.
The goal came at the second time of asking, however, with Mitroglou releasing Salvio down the byline to put it on a plate for Jonas’ first league goal of the season in the 19th minute.
Hernâni offered Ederson a fright just a minute later, as a fierce left-footed volley from the man on loan from FC Porto brushed the side-netting on its way out.
With Salvio again playing the role of provider, Mitroglou almost opened his account for the night in acrobatic fashion in the 35th minute, but the striker’s effort was met by Douglas’ save.
Jonas was alert to his strike partner’s movement soon after when leaving Mitroglou one-on-one with Douglas, and the Greek striker slotted the ball coolly past the Guimarães shot-stopper to double the scoring before half-time.
The hosts had heartbeats racing from the restart, going close first through Paolo Hurtado’s half-volley soaring over Ederson’s crossbar, and secondly from Hernâni’s curled effort from range that required a save from Benfica’s goalkeeper.
Rui Vitória’s men then could’ve left the game beyond reach in the 87th minute when Mitroglou’s timely dummy gave Salvio the time and space to finish, but the Argentine’s poor first touch robbed him of the opportunity before the final whistle.
P. Ferreira 0-0 FC Porto
In the knowledge of Benfica’s win away from home, Porto would have to repeat the dosage in an equally difficult trip to the Mata Real in order to remain with touching distance of the league leaders.
It’s with that in mind that André Silva set Diogo Jota through on goal, but the 20-year-old spurned the chance to beat Rafael Defendi early on in his return to his former home.
A vengeful Porto returned soon after to go close once more, this time via Héctor Herrera working the channels, as the Mexican’s well-placed cross saw André Silva lashing at air at the back-post.
Paços de Ferreira saw a huge penalty call overlooked in the 13th minute, as Welthon’s cross to Ricardo Valente was followed by a clear intervention by Alex Telles’ arm that was ignored by the referee.
Work from Jesús Corona down the right flank saw the Mexican’s shot fall to Óliver Torres inside the box, but the Atlético Madrid man couldn’t guide his snap-shot past Defendi in the 32nd minute.
Telle’s registered Porto’s first chance of the second half with a long shot, and with an hour of play gone, it was André Silva knocking on the door from Jota’s lofted pass, but the young striker could only contribute to Defendi's count of saves.
In the 85th minute, second half substitute Rui Pedro could well have pinched all three points after being spotted by André Silva's first time pass one-on-one with the keeper, but the 18-year-old pulled the trigger too early with a comfortable header for the Paços de Ferreira shot-stopper to save, as the hosts held on for a 0-0 draw.
Sporting 2-1 Feirense
Out to use Wednesday’s elimination from the Taça CTT to Vitória de Setúbal as motivation, Sporting find themselves walking on egg shells with regards to the league title, requiring nothing but a win against Feirense to keep up with Benfica and capitalise on Porto’s misfortunes on Saturday night.
Adrien Silva fired the initial warning with a curling effort over the bar in the 2nd minute, as the Lions followed up their bright start with a goal; Bas Dost making no mistake from Joel Campbell’s cross to tap in Sporting's first just three minutes later.
Alan Ruiz began pulling the strings in the final third, going close to the target in the 11th minute with a low drive, as Adrien reciprocated the Argentine’s enthusiasm with another strike from range moments later that flew close to the crossbar.
With 17 minutes on the clock, Ruiz popped again in the final third, this time taking three opponents out of the game with an inch-perfect pass for Dost to slam home a brace.
Sporting might have been looking at a third when Ruiz squeezed another ball through into the box, this time to Gelson Martins, who opted for the shot from a tight angle as opposed to squaring it for Dost on a hat-trick.
The first half was marred by Adrien’s head injury, sustained after a reckless high foot by Luis Aurelio, as the skipper made way on a stretcher for Elias’ early entrance into the field of play.
Ruiz had Vaná working to tip over his venomous volley in the 38th minute, whereas at the other end, Feirense captain Cris saw his chance at the back-post blocked by Ricardo Esgaio before the interval.
After a tame restart from both clubs, Feirense alerted the Alvalade in the 60th minute through Platiny, evading Bruno César’s marking to add the finishing touch to Cris’ cross and pull a goal back for the recently-promoted side.
The Lions reclaimed superiority shortly after Bryan Ruiz’s introduction and it was at the Costa Rican’s feet that the hosts should have amplified the score, only for the playmaker’s trademark chip to fly way over the target in the 83rd minute.
There was still time for an Elias red card in the 92nd minute, as the Brazilian set out to cancel Feirense’s attack in the final stages of the game, subsequently won by 4th placed Sporting.
By Patrick Ribeiro
Matchday 16 Results
Nacional 0-0 Sp. Braga
Estoril 0-1 Maritimo
Vit. Guimarães 0-2 Benfica
P. Ferreira 0-0 FC Porto
Rio Ave 2-2 Chaves
Tondela 1-2 Arouca
Boavista 1-0 Vit. Setúbal
Sporting 2-1 Feirense
Monday
Moreirense - Belenenses
