Benfica have renewed their fine form coming into the new season with a 5-0 victory away to Santa Clara, cementing their spot at the top of the Primeira Liga table.
The Eagles started slowly with a goal on the brink of half-time from Rodrigo Pinho before further joy followed in the second period, led by a Darwin Nuñez brace. Finishes from Rafa Silva and new boy Roman Yaremchuk completed Benfica’s assignment in the Azorean island of São Miguel, making it five wins from five in the league.
Sporting de Braga, on the other hand, were unable to apply pressure on both Sporting and Porto prior to the Classico, drawing 0-0 away to Paços de Ferreira and keeping them two points adrift of their competitive rivals.
On 19 June 2020 a largely unknown 17-year-old made his debut for Sporting Clube de Portugal. Just 14 months later, Nuno Mendes has become a teammate of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar at PSG in a deal worth €50 million euros for the Lisbon club. He signs during international duty, where he is a teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Liga Bwin’s opening gambit concluded for the season’s first international break this weekend with a number of closely fought, intense encounters. Benfica became the sole team with a 100% record, rising to the top of table after a late comeback win over Tondela, the Eagles taking advantage of defending champions Sporting slipping to a draw at Famalicão.
Benfica have moved up to first place in the Primeira Liga table after a late Gilberto winner versus Tondela saw the Eagles take advantage of a Sporting slip-up with a 2-1 victory, this Sunday.
Paços de Ferreira and Santa Clara have seen their European dreams come to an end after losing to Tottenham Hotspur and Partizan Belgrade in the Europa Conference League qualifiers, this Thursday.