Sporting 0-0 Benfica
Sporting were able to hold Benfica to a favourable 0-0 draw at the Estádio José Alvalade in the final Clássico of the season, subsequently crowning FC Porto as the new Liga NOS champions, prior to this Sunday's clash at home to Feirense.
In a game coined as pivotal to the race for second place, rewarded with UEFA Champions League qualification, a draw in the Lisbon Derby sees the two Portuguese giants prolong their tussle for continental football through to the last fixture of the season.
Both Sporting and Benfica currently share second place on 78 points, a scenario that benefits the Lions on head-to-head results, following a 1-1 draw at the Estádio da Luz back in January of this year.
Mixed fortunes on either side of the Lisbon divide saw Sporting welcome back William Carvalho from a considerable lay-off, meanwhile Benfica were left without the injured André Almeida on Jonas' return to the first team squad, albeit only occupying a spot on the Eagles' bench.
Rafa denied twice by the post
Benefiting from a sharp start to the game, the visitors neared an opening goal with a big opportunity as early as the 8th minute, with Rafa Silva darting ahead of Cristiano Piccini before the post could deny him in front of goal.
By Patrick Ribeiro
Sporting XI: Rui Patrício - Cristiano Piccini, Sebastian Coates, Jeremy Mathieu, Fábio Coentrão (Lumor, 90') - William Carvalho (Marcos Acuña, 62'), Rodrigo Battaglia - Bryan Ruiz (Josip Misic, 83'), Bruno Fernandes, Gelson Martins - Bas Dost
Benfica XI: Bruno Varela - Douglas, Rúben Dias, Jardel, Alejandro Grimaldo - Ljubomir Fejsa, Andreas Samaris, Pizzi (Eduardo Salvio, 66') - Andrija Zivkovic (Jonas, 82'), Rafa Silva (Franco Cervi, 88') - Raúl Jiménez