Benfica 0-1 FC Porto
FC Porto have returned to the top of the Primeira Liga table after a late Héctor Herrera goal powered the Dragons past Benfica with a 1-0 victory at the Estádio da Luz, this evening.
The two title contenders looked poised for a share of the spoils before the Mexican's strike from range stole the show in the 90th minute, moving the Dragons back above second-placed Benfica with a two-point lead.
With both clubs sweating until the final minute over the fitness of their main goal-grabbers, 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 provided the visitors a boost with his return to the starting line-up.
Despite a lively start to proceedings, the two rivals could do no more than a shot against the outside of the post within the first 20 minutes, as Rafa Silva eyed up a cross directed at Franco Cervi from the right.
[To watch highlights of the match click on the screen below]
In an attempt to tip the balance in Benfica's favour, Cervi mirrored Rafa's work on the opposite flank by wriggling his way into the box and letting rip at Iker Casillas from close range, just moments before Tiquinho Soares was able to register Porto's first strike at goal, albeit way wide of the mark.
With best use of possession remaining with the hosts, two chances apiece led the sides into the break locked at 0-0, as Pizzi, one-on-one with goalkeeper, failed to guide a close-range volley past Casillas prior to Marega steering Ricardo's cross wide in the 44th minute.
Porto picked up where they left off in the second period, seeking the Malian in attack once more before a heavy touch inside the box took the forward into Bruno Varela's orbit. The Eagles replied through Jardel, attacking Pizzi's corner in the 54th minute to hook a volley wide of Casillas' far post, as the game began to open up.
Brahimi edged the Dragons closer to the opener in the 66th minute, led by Ricardo's counter, as the Algerian playmaker performed his habitual cut infield to curl a shot just wide of the target.
The warnings sent from the visitors induced caution into Rui Vitória's plans, as Benfica turned to the likes of Andreas Samaris and Eduardo Salvio to help nullify their opponents' new-found appetite for attack.
With the two sides staring at a goalless draw, Herrera was able to stun the home side with a venemous strike from the edge of the box to place Porto in front in the 90th minute, 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.
By Patrick Ribeiro
Benfica XI: Bruno Varela - André Almeida, Ruben Dias, Jardel, Alejandro Grimaldo - Ljubomir Fejsa, Pizzi (Haris Seferovic, 86'), Andrija Zivkovic - Rafa Silva (Eduardo Salvio, 66'), Franco Cervi (Andreas Samaris, 74'), Raúl Jiménez
FC Porto XI: Iker Casillas - Ricardo Pereira, Felipe, Ivan Marcano, Alex Telles - Héctor Herrera, Sérgio Oliveira (Oliver Torres, 74'), Otávio (Jesús Corona, 79') - Moussa Marega, Yacine Brahimi, Tiquinho Soares (Vincent Aboubakar, 83')
Goals: