FC Porto and Sporting entered this match with five points separating them and with both teams needing a win. On one hand, Benfica had destroyed Estoril the day before and put a seven-point distance between themselves and the Dragons. On the other hand, Sporting were just one point ahead of Braga in the fight for the next season's last Champions League place. The promise was of an entertaining match in the making. 

But the game played out somewhat differently from what might have been expected. Having yet to lose against either FC Porto or Benfica this season, the Lions' coach Marco Silva chose not to replicate the successful strategy that had granted the Verde e Brancos an impressive 3-1 win at the Dragão in the Portuguese Cup last October. 

Sporting 0-0 Wolfsburg (aggregate score: 0-2)

Sporting threw everything they had at German outfit Wolfsburg at the Alvalade tonight, but a mixture of inspirational goalkeeping from former Nacional stopper Diego Benaglio, some wasteful finishing and the woodwork prevented the Lions from staging a comeback. 

Despite more than matching the Bundesliga high fliers for three quarters of the Europa Liga tie, a poor second half in Germany ultimately made the difference as the goalless final scoreline brings the Portuguese side's European adventures to an end for the 2014/15 season. 

Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha – or Nani for his shorter, simpler to remember name, has enjoyed a resurgence in form and confidence since his loan move from parent club, Manchester United to his former team, Sporting, as part of the deal that sent defender Marcos Rojo to Old Trafford. 

Various social media outlets went into meltdown last weekend as Nani scored an incredible 30-yard screamer as Sporting overcame relegation-threatened Gil Vicente 2-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade to maintain their third position in the Primeira Liga standings. The 28-year old who wears the number 77 shirt, has scored eight goals in 24 appearances for Sporting this season, and has been one of the finest players in the league so far. 

Sporting 1-1 Benfica

It had been, until the last 10 minutes, a game to forget for anyone watching the Lisbon derby. Jefferson looked to have deservedly won the match for Sporting with a clever finish just three minutes from time after Artur could only parry João Mario's shot.

However defender Jardel came to the rescue for the Eagles with their first chance of note in the entire game to give Jorge Jesus' team a hugely important point in their title challenge.