Konstantinos Mitroglou was the hero for Benfica as his early goal has put Benfica on course for a third consectuvie Primeira Liga title. Sporting, with more of the play and having wasted chances, will look back at the game as one of the most painful defeats in recent memory.

There was good news for Sporting pre-match when Adrien Silva, who missed the Bayer Leverkusen clash after having picked up an injury before the match, passed a late fitness test. However, Benfica lost goalkeeper Júlio César, who was injured in training yesterday, meaning 22-year old Ederson was required to the start. Indeed, the defences appeared to be both teams' weak points. Sporting, without Paulo Oliveira still, using the unproven combination of Sebastián Coates and Ewerton at centre-back.

There was a thunderous atmosphere in the Estádio José Alvalade, as expected, for what is certainly the most important Lisbon derby in several years. The subplots were plenty, Jorge Jesus, André Carrillo, as well as off-field allegations from both sides over the past year, but only first place in the Primeira Liga really mattered on the night.

The fixture between Sporting and Benfica is so steeped in history and significance that it is known in Portugal as “the eternal derby”. This Saturday’s clash in particular has all the ingredients to go down in eternity.

Separated by just one point, events in recent months have served to turn up several notches the intense rivalry between the two clubs.

First because of Sporting’s bold move to lure away the most successful Benfica coach of the last two decades, Jorge Jesus, second because Benfica responded in kind by signing Sporting’s contract rebel André Carrillo on a free transfer, and third because the two clubs are battling it out in one of the most closely fought title races in years.

PortuGOAL previews the eagerly awaited Lisbon derby.

The Portuguese title race took another exciting turn in Round 24, after which the top three were separated by just 4 points. Moreover, leaders Sporting are now just a single point ahead of city rivals Benfica, with the two Lisbon giants meeting each other on Saturday evening at Alvalade.

A brace by Jonas gave Benfica the three points against União da Madeira, while Sporting were made to pay for missing a catalogue of chances as they drew 0-0 at Vitória de Guimarães. FC Porto will feel they are by no means out of the running to lift the championship, and a hard-fought 2-1 win away at Belenenses sees the Dragons only four points behind top spot.

Conclusive. It was four wins out of four matches for German teams Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen against FC Porto and Sporting respectively.

The damage had been done in the first legs, with the Dragons losing 2-0 in Germany and Sporting falling to a home defeat, and there were no heroic comebacks in the second legs.

Braga are Portugal’s only remaining representative in the Europa League.  PortuGOAL rounds up the action from last night.