Benfica 1-2 Porto

The Dragoes opened the scoring early on in Lisbon via Freddy Guarin, but Javier Saviola converted a spot kick to restore parity.

Brazil international Hulk then decided the match when he netted a penalty of his own around the half-hour mark.

Porto started the match with attacking intentions and needed only nine minutes to break the deadlock. In form midfielder Freddy Guarin surprised the Benfica goalkeeper with a cross that ended up in the back of the net.

The Aguias didn’t take long to respond, though, and leveled the score shortly after. Nicolas Otamendi fouled Franco Jara inside the area and Javier Saviola fired home the awarded penalty kick.

Benfica shot-stopper Roberto’s poor match continued at the half-hour mark when Radamel Falcao went to the ground after a challenge from the Spanish custodian, leaving the referee no other choice but to award a spot kick. Hulk stepped up to restore his side’s lead as the Brazilian didn’t fail from twelve yards.

Both sides continued to create chances, but neither Benfica nor Porto managed to find the net again in the remainder of the game.

Porto’s Otamendi didn’t last until the final whistle as he received his marching orders in the 69th minute. Benfica didn’t finish the game with 11 players either as Oscar Cardozo was shown red.

Porto have now collected 71 points from 25 games with an unassailable 16 point lead and are still unbeaten with five more games to be played. Benfica have accumulated 55 points and will have to settle for second place this season.