Benfica retain Portuguese title
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| AFP |
Benfica clinched their second successive Portuguese Liga title with a goalless draw at Guimaraes as their only challengers Porto were also held.
Benfica went into the penultimate round of games with a three-point lead - and that is where they stayed, meaning their superior head-to-head record against Porto guaranteed them the trophy.
The crucial goal came in the event from Belenenses substitute Tiago Caeiro, who cancelled out Jackson Martinez's strike to earn his side a 1-1 draw and end Porto's hopes of overhauling the Eagles.
Benfica chairman Luis Filipe Vieira told his club's official website: "We are all happy. All Benfica are happy and this title is dedicated to all of them."
At the other end of the table, three of the four relegation places are now settled after Gil Vicente and Arouca followed Penafiel in succumbing to the drop. Penafiel were already down but took Gil Vicente with them thanks to a 2-1 win in the game between the sides. Helder Guedes' opener was cancelled out by Diogo Viana but Davi Mbala scored a late winner.
Arouca lost by the same scoreline to relegation rivals Vitoria Setubal, who gave themselves real hope with one match remaining. Suk Hyunjun and Joao Schmidt scored Vitoria's goals late in the first half and Nildo Petrolina's response was not enough for the visitors.
Vitoria go into their game against Braga level on points with 14th-placed Academica, who lost 3-2 to Pacos Ferreira and face Guimaraes in their last match. Aderland Silva and Joao Real gave Academica the lead on Sunday after Diogo Jota's opener for Pacos Ferreira, but Edson Paraiba equalised and Jota scored the winner.
Sporting beat Braga 4-1, bouncing back from Felipe Pardo's penalty with two goals from Adrien Silva - the first of them also a spot-kick - and further strikes from Tobias Figueiredo and Islam Slimani.
Maritimo were 4-0 winners over Rio Ave with goals from Raul Silva, Moussa Marega and two from Danilo Pereira. Rio Ave had Ricardo Tarantini sent off at 1-0.
Moreirense also took advantage of a dismissal to draw 1-1 with Estoril. The visitors led through Kleber but had Afonso Taira sent off with two minutes left and Danielson scored the equaliser.