If there is a better sensation than getting a victory over the biggest rival – and on their house – is getting the leadership of the championship on that same match, and that Benfica knows the feeling. In the afternoon of Saturday, in an exciting match in “Estadio do Dragão”, the team from Benfica beat Porto by 2-1, and with that was able to get the first place of the Portuguese Championship. The goals were scored by João Félix and Rafa Silva, with Adrián scoring the only one for the home side.
Porto was the one to open the scorer, as soon as the 18th minute arrived. Adrián got the rebound from his own free-kick and crossed to the goal, the goalkeeper Vlachodimos, who got confused because of the great number of people in front of him, let the ball in. However, Benfica was able to equalize before the half time: Seferovic stole the ball in the attacking area and sent it to João Félix, who got in the area and sent a bomb to the direction of Casillas, who couldn’t do anything. It was the 9th goal of the 19-year-old striker in the Portuguese Championship.
At the 52nd minute, they turned around the scorer. Rafa Silva made a good play inside the box and the Portuguese was the one to shoot, close to the ground, and Casillas once again had nothing to do.
With the result, Benfica is currently with 59 points and in the first position of the championship, and now with 2 points more than Porto – who is the second place with 57. Braga, with 49, and Sporting, with 46, are the other teams that are in the top 4 positions of the Portuguese Championship.
Both teams now have matches for the continental competition during the middle of the week. On Wednesday, Porto will welcome Roma for the second match of the Round of 16 for the Champions League. On Thursday, it’s Benfica turn to travel to Croatia and face Dinamo Zagreb, for the second leg of the Europa League.
For the Portuguese Champions, Porto will play only on Sunday, facing Feirense outside their home. While Benfica will play on Monday, at home, against Belenenses.