Benfica overcome Estoril challenge to keep up title charge | OneFootball

Estoril 1-2 Benfica

Benfica beat Estoril 2-1 tonight to go three points clear of rivals Sporting at the top the table before their title rivals play tomorrow.

The Eagles looked set for a straightforward victory after going into the break two-nil up thanks to goals from Fredrik Aursnes and captain Nicolás Otamendi, having largely controlled the first half.

Estoril came out fighting in the second half. The hosts missed a glorious chance to halve the deficit when Yanis Begrauoui’s penalty was saved by Anatoliy Trubin, but the home team did score in the 78th minute through a Vinícius Zanocelo header to set up a nervy ending for Benfica.

The visitors held on though, and will go into next weekend’s crunch derby against Sporting – the penultimate game of the season – at worst level on points with their Lisbon neighbours. More to follow.