Over 60,000 spectators at a sun-kissed Estádio da Luz witnessed a hotly contested Lisbon derby with honours shared after a 1-1 draw. 

Benfica enjoyed most of the possession and created more chances, but it was Sporting who took the lead as Nani converted a penalty in the 64th minute, and it needed a late header from substitute João Félix to rescue a point for the hosts. 

The draw leaves both teams with an identical record on 7 points at the top of the table (before Porto's match) after three matches of the new season. 

One of the most eagerly awaited fixtures in the Portuguese football calendar comes early this season. At 7pm on Saturday evening the Portuguese capital will come to a standstill as Benfica and Sporting go head to head at the Estádio da Luz.

Both teams have an identical record in the league (2/2 wins, 5 goals scored, 2 conceded), but in terms of team chemistry, performance level and the general level of optimism surrounding the club, Benfica appear some way ahead of their Lisbon rivals.

That said, it has become something of a tradition in the match known as the Dérbi Eterno – no translation needed – that the team in worse shape comes out on top. PortuGOAL previews the first Clássico of the 2018/19 Primeira Liga season.

The new Liga NOS season continued this weekend and the goals continued to flow with 30 scored across 9 matches.

We saw the first draws of the fledgling campaign, but they were conducted in entertaining fashion, Aves and Tondela serving up a 2-2 to begin the round’s action before newly-promoted Santa Clara produced a big upset to hold Braga to a 3-3, from 3-0 down. Benfica, Porto and Sporting all continued their 100% starts although the latter pair were made to sweat against Belenenses and Vitória Setúbal respectively.

This week’s standout figure appeared in one of the aforementioned matches, and is no stranger to any followers of European football: Nani has returned for a third spell at Sporting and it was he who proved the difference on Saturday night, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win for the Lions.

The Primeira Liga championship has been won by either Porto or Benfica for the last 16 years, and bookmakers are anticipating another two-horse race at the top of the Primeira Liga this season with the fierce rivals slogging it out for glory.

Sporting lost a slew of key players in the summer. Rui Patricio, Gelson Martins, William Carvalho, Fábio Coentrão and Cristiano Piccini all left the club, while coach Jorge Jesus headed out for Saudi Arabia in the wake of the infamous Alcochete attack when 50 fans broke into the training ground and assaulted players and staff.

The oddsmakers expect Sporting to struggle this season as a result, and although the Lions have started with two wins, the tepid performances have done little to suggest anything other than a straight fight between Porto and Benfica.