Sporting Lisbon secured their second victory in 13 matches in the title-winning phase, which will be decided next Tuesday.
In a derby with no chance of winning the Liga Revelacao title, Sporting hosted and defeated Benfica in Alcochete, 2-1, in a game that had a better first half than the second, with all three goals coming before halftime, in the 13th and penultimate round of the championship phase.
Just five minutes in, an own goal by Guilherme Gaspar, following a cross from Rayhan Momade on the left, gave Sporting the lead.
However, Benfica managed to equalize in the 21st minute through Diogo Rocha, who, following a corner from the right, saw goalkeeper Tiago Leitao make a save, but scored on the rebound with a header.
However, four minutes were enough for Sporting to score again and never let the lead slip. After a great combination with Delcio Aurelio, Momade crossed low from the left and Diogo Martins volleyed it into the back of the net.
In the second half, amidst several substitutions in both teams, Benfica tried hard to equalize, but couldn’t manage it. Sporting, although without clear goalscoring opportunities, also had a chance to make it 3-1, which didn’t materialize, but the three points remained in Alcochete.
Sporting have only managed their second win in 13 matches in this championship qualifying phase, but remain in eighth and last place, now with eight points. Benfica remain in fourth place with 18 points, mathematically out of contention for third place.
In the other matches of the round, which were played on Tuesday, league leaders Ac. Viseu won 2-0 away to Sp. Braga, Famalicao won 2-1 at home against Torreense, and Leixões beat Santa Clara 3-1 at home.
The final matchday, on Tuesday, will decide the champion: Ac. Viseu or Famalicão. Ac. Viseu hosts Leixões and Famalicão visits Benfica. Santa Clara=Sporting and Torreense=Sp. Braga are the other matches.
