Benfica 1-2 FC Porto
Just when it seemed FC Porto's 2015/16 championship hopes would be extinguished for good, the Dragons produced a comeback to beat Benfica at the Estádio da Luz and get right back in the race to lift the Portuguese title.
In a highly entertaining contest, Mitroglou put the hosts ahead in the 18th minute, but Herrera soon equalised for the visitors. Aboubakar scored what turned out to be the winner for Porto in the 65th minute, and Benfica will rue the many clear chances they spurned, some due to excellent goalkeeping by Iker Casillas and others down to sloppy finishing.
Porto remain third in the table but move to within three points of Benfica with the advantage in the head-to-head record.
Both sides were forced to make defensive changes, with 19-year-old Nigerian Chidozie and Martins Indi combining for an unfamiliar centre-back partnership for Porto in the absence of the injured Marcano and Maicon, while for Benfica Lindelöf continued to deputise for Lisandro López.
From the kick off both sides set about attacking with intent, with Benfica taking the initiative in front of over 63,000 fans in the rainy Portuguese capital. Pizzi was first to threaten as some swift passing saw the midfielder in on goal. Casillas parried his initial effort, but when Pizzi recovered the ball the goalkeeper was relieved to see his follow-up shot skim narrowly past the post.
Sanches the provider
The vast majority of the fans inside the stadium erupted in joy in the 18th minute as Renato Sanches made a typically surging run through the centre of the pitch before dinking a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Mitroglou, who gleefully slid the ball past Casillas and into the net.
Given Porto's poor recent results and Benfica's free-scoring ways, the visiting fans must have feared the worst, but the Dragons reacted well to the goal and ten minutes later it was all square. Some sloppy defensive play on the edge of the box allowed Herrera time and space to pick his spot, and the Mexican produced a precise low finish into the corner of Júlio César's net.
In a frenetic end to the half Jonas forced Casillas into a fine diving save to deflect his rasping shot over the bar before Mitroglou and Samaris both missed the target when it seemed easier to score, while at the other end of the pitch Brahimi fired over and Hererra's shot skidded inches wide.
Casillas shines
Porto came out in the second half in determined mood and for ten minutes were camped in Benfica's defensive half of the field, albeit without creating much in the way of chances. Indeed, it was Benfica again who carved out a clear goal-scoring opportunity, a rapid break resulting in Pizzi releasing Gaitán one-on-one with the Porto goalkeeper. Casillas again won the battle, diving impressively to his left to deflect the shot around the post.
Jonas and Brahimi then traded chances as the pace of the game proved unrelenting, and on 63 minutes Aboubakar came desperately close to giving Porto the lead, his shot from the top of the box flying just wide. The Cameroonian would not be denied though, using his strength well to bludgeon his way through a cluster of Benfica defenders and smash a cross-shot past César.
With 25 minutes remaining Porto were in the lead for the first time. Twice in quick succession Benfica almost found a rapid equaliser, Casillas showing astonishing reactions to prevent a comical own goal from Martins Indi, then denying Mitroglou who could only poke his shot straight at the Spanish goalkeeper from inside the 6-yard box.
Benfica then lost their way, with substitutes Talisca, Carcela and Salvio having little impact as Porto held on with relative ease for a vital three points and to complete the double over their fierce rivals.
by Tom Kundert
Benfica: Júlio César, André Almeida, Jardel, Lindelöf, Eliseu (Salvio, 80'), Samaris (Talisca, 69'), Renato Sanches, Pizzi (Carcela, 69'), Nico Gaitán, Jonas, Mitroglou
Porto: Casillas, Layún, Martins Indi, Chidozie, Maxi Pereira, Herrera, Danilo, André André (Rúben Neves, 74'), Brahimi (Varela, 86'), Corona (Marega, 59'), Aboubakar
Goals:
[1-0] Mitrolglou, 18'
[1-1] Herrera, 28'
[1-2] Aboubakar, 65'
