Sporting lose to Benfica in stoppage time, roll out carpet for Porto | OneFootball

Sporting lost to Benfica, 2-1, this Sunday, April 19, in a match counting for the 30th round of the Liga Portugal Betclic. After the draw against Arsenal that sealed their elimination from the Champions League, the Lions were unable to smile in the eternal derby.

Playing at the José Alvalade Stadium, the Lions created more danger and the better chances. In the 18th minute, Aursnes brought down Francisco Trincão and, from the resulting penalty, Trubin saved Luís Suárez’s shot (19’) — João Pinheiro should have ordered a retake, since at least two Benfica players had entered the box before the Colombian took it. Shortly after, there was another penalty, but this time for Benfica, for a handball by Morita. Schjelderup struck down the middle of Rui Silva’s goal and put the Eagles ahead (27’).

After the break, the green-and-whites tried to respond. The equaliser came in the 73rd minute, with a header from Morita. In the closing stages, the Lions piled on the pressure and even found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. After play resumed, Benfica scored and went on to win the match, with a goal from Rafa Silva (90’+3).

With this defeat — the eighth in 49 matches this season — Rui Borges’ men remain on 71 points and drop to third place in the Liga Portugal Betclic table. Porto (76) are in first place. Benfica are second with 72, but having played one more match.

The green-and-white side return to action next Wednesday, April 22, against Porto. The match, the second leg of the Taça de Portugal semi-finals, against the team coached by Francesco Farioli, will be played at the Estádio do Dragão at 8:45 pm.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.