Portugal round-up: Benfica hand it to Sporting

Sporting Clube de Portugal were handed their 18th Portuguese title by Lisbon rivals SL Benfica, who beat second-placed Boavista FC 2-1 tonight to leave the new champions with an unassailable lead at the top of the table.

Five points clear
With one game left to play, Sporting head the standings on 72 points, five ahead of second-placed Boavista, who were champions last season. Sporting striker Mario Jardel, who had won three titles with FC Porto previously, said: "We deserve to win the championship after the way we've played all season. And it was the best possible campaign for me after I scored 40 goals, and I am really grateful to my team-mates and the club for all they have done."

Sánchez opener
Only a win would have kept Boavista in contention, and Bolivian free-kick specialist Erwin Sánchez put them ahead in the 41st minute with a shot from 20 metres that curved around the Benfica wall and beat goalkeeper José Moreira, who dived too early as the ball bounced into the net.

Mantorras winner
But fourth-placed Benfica, still in the chase for a UEFA Cup place, grabbed an equaliser in the 55th minute when Brazilian defender Argélico Fucks headed home from a free-kick. Benfica played the last 13 minutes with ten men after Italian defender Emanuele Pesaresi picked up a second yellow card, but overcame their numerical disadvantage in the 82nd minute when Angolan striker Pedro Mantorras scored the winner.

Andem at fault
Boavista goalkeeper William Andem was at fault, slipping as he stretched to smother a long ball and presenting the simplest of tasks to Mantorras to score. The victory leaves Benfica in fourth place, two points behind Porto. Benfica are dependent on Porto losing their final game next weekend if they are to grab third spot and a UEFA Cup place.

Salgueiros sent down
In the day's other games, SC Salgueiros's relegation was confirmed as they went down 3-2 at Gil Vicente FC. Paulo Alves struck twice for the home side, who were 3-0 up by the 47th minute, meaning João Pedro's two goals in the closing moments were too little, too late. While Salgueiros join FC Alverca and CD Farense in going down, up come Moreirense FC whose 5-1 defeat of CD Nacional, their closest rivals, secured their second successive promotion.

Away wins
Elsewhere in the 1. Liga, UD Leiria beat Farense 4-1, FC Paços de Ferreira were 2-0 winners at SC Beira Mar, and CS Marítimo also won on their travels, 1-0 at Varzim SC.