Sporting CP 1-2 Benfica
Rafa Silva scored the winning goal against Sporting CP (1-2) in stoppage time to keep Benfica’s title hopes alive.
Both Sporting CP and Benfica needed nothing less than a win in the Derby to keep pace with Porto. Just when it seemed the match would end in a stalemate, Rafa Silva emerged to deliver a dramatic victory, lifting the Eagles to second place in the Primeira Liga, just four points behind the league leaders.
With Fresneda once again sidelined at Alvalade due to injury, Rui Borges opted for Quaresma at right-back, essentially fielding the same XI that drew with Arsenal at the Emirates. Mourinho, meanwhile, strengthened his midfield by deploying Leandro Barreiro ahead of Richard Ríos and Aursnes in the engine room. Up front, Ivanovic started over Pavlidis.
The match kicked off late due to a traffic accident in Lisbon, but the electric atmosphere in the stands ignited a frenetic start. In the opening exchanges, Trubin tipped a Catamo effort onto the crossbar from inside the box, while Otamendi responded with a powerful header from a corner.
The ball flew from box to box, bypassing midfield, with Catamo causing Dahl persistent problems on the right flank. However, it was Trincao who drew a penalty from Aursnes, giving Sporting a chance to take the lead—but Trubin read Luis Suárez’s intentions and saved the spot-kick. The Ukrainian goalkeeper kept Benfica in the game, and just before the half-hour mark, they were awarded a penalty of their own. Morita raised his arm while defending another Otamendi header from a set piece, and Schjelderup made no mistake from the spot against Rui Silva.
Sporting needed the halftime break to regroup. Shortly after the restart, Pote struck the post from the edge of the box. Rui Silva then denied Schjelderup a second goal with a strong low save. The pressure eventually paid off for Rui Borges’ side: Morita redeemed himself for his earlier penalty by heading home a precise cross from Debast in the 71st minute.
With 12 minutes left and a draw suiting neither side, Mourinho introduced Antonio Silva, Rafa Silva, Pavlidis, and Lukébakio. The latter crafted a sublime cross with the outside of his boot from the right, but Leandro Barreiro headed over the bar at the far post with the goal at his mercy. Rui Borges responded by bringing on Daniel Bragança and Rafael Nel. Nel immediately beat Trubin, but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside. In the ensuing play, Rafa Silva burst into Sporting’s box and scored the winner, keeping Benfica unbeaten and their faith alive.