Portuguese Football in English
Benfica yesterday won the Primeira Liga for the 34th time in their history, in so doing securing back-to-back titles for the first time since 1982/83 and 1983/84.
How did they do it?
Here, in no particular order, are ten reasons that help explain why the Eagles finished top of the pile.
Draws for Benfica at Vitória Guimarães and Porto at Belenenses resulted in Benfica clinching the 2014/15 Portuguese championship with one game to spare this afternoon.
Benfica missed a succession of early chances and had to settle for a goalless draw, but Porto could not take advantage as a late Tiago Caeiro equaliser for Belenenses cancelled out the mandatory Jackson Martínez goal for the Dragons, on the stroke of half time.
Benfica win back-to-back titles for the first time since way back in 1984.
Given the anti-climatic and disappointingly predictable end to the Primeira Liga title race currently being played out, FC Porto coach Julen Lopetegui did a fine job at livening up the end-of-season panorama in Portugal with a remarkable outburst in the post-match press conference following Porto's 2-0 victory over Gil Vicente tonight.
The Spaniard said he had lost all respect for Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, accused his counterpart of benefiting from a "protective blanket" and also vented his fury at what he perceives as unfair treatment by Portuguese journalists in relation to Porto.
Benfica made light work of a potentially tricky fixture as they travelled to Barcelos and thrashed Gil Vicente 5-0 on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles require six points from their last three games to retain the title.
FC Porto refuse to throw in the towel though. A goal in each half from Brahimi and Jackson Martínez kept the Dragons just three points behind their bitter rivals.
Sporting guaranteed third place and qualification for the Champions League playoff thanks to a 2-0 win over Nacional at the Alvalade, while Boavista ensured survival in the top flight after beating Moreirense at the Bessa.
Braga completed their Portuguese Cup semi-final victory over Rio Ave yesterday to book a place in the Jamor final on 31 May against Sporting.
Éder put the Arsenalistas ahead just before the break, and despite Jebor's equaliser for the home team, the Arsenalistas held on comfortably to complete a 4-1 aggregate win.
Charismatic coach Sérgio Conceição had promised beforehand that should his team reach the final he would jog all the way back to Braga from Vila do Conde, a 50-km route, and after effusive celebrations and completing his press conference duties he duly kept his word, along with members of his coaching staff (pictured).
