adminLISBON. – Benfica won the Portuguese soccer title for the 34th time on Sunday after a 0-0 draw away to Vitoria Guimaraes combined with a 1-1 draw for nearest challengers Porto at Belenenses. The Lisbon giants, coached by Jorge Jesus, can no longer be caught by bitter rivals Porto, who are three points behind with one game remaining and crucially lose out in the head-to-head between the sides.
It is the first time that Benfica have won back-to-back titles in 31 years and the third time they have won it under Jesus.
Porto would have taken the fight down to the wire but, after Jackson Martinez had given them a first-half lead against Belenenses, Tiago Caeiro equalised with only six minutes left.
“We have beaten a great team, FC Porto, who have great players, but Benfica were the much better team, more united and more experienced,” said Jesus.
Meanwhile, fans took to the streets to celebrate in Lisbon, including at the Marques de Pombal square where Benfica’s successes are usually celebrated, and all around Portugal. – AFP.
Online Reporter