Portugal round-up: Benfica secure second place

SL Benfica claimed a place in next season's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round by securing second place in the Portuguese first division with a 4-2 win at CF Os Belenenses.

Benfica in control
Defender Helder opened the scoring after 17 minutes on Saturday, and Brazilian striker Geovanni doubled the lead three minutes later. Although the home side pulled a goal back a minute before the break through Verona, second-half strikes from Tomislav Sokota and Tiago put Benfica in complete command despite a late consolation from Henri Antchouet and the 83rd-minute dismissal of Tiago.

Second defeat
Newly crowned champions FC Porto suffered only their second league defeat of the season, 1-0 at FC Paços de Ferreira. Porto's Tiago and Paulo Sousa of Paços de Ferreira were both sent off five minutes before half-time and, despite also losing João Armando to a red card a minute past the hour, a goal a minute into added time from Cadú gave the home side victory.

Sporting held
Following a 1-1 draw against UD Leiria, Sporting Clube de Portugal extended their sequence without a home win to almost three months. The away side took the lead midway through the first half thanks to a goal from Maciel, but Toñito's 67th-minute equaliser earned Sporting a draw.

Away win
Vitória Guimarães consolidated in fourth place with a 2-1 win at Moreirense FC, with goals from Romeu and Rubens Junior either side of Armando Freitas's equaliser for the home side. Fifth-placed Gil Vicente FC were defeated at home by CS Marítimo, with Gaúcho scoring the only goal of the game in the second minute.

Vital victory
At the other end of the table, Paulo Vida scored twice as Varzim SC beat bottom side Vitória Setúbal 3-2, a result that virtually sealed Setúbal's fate. Meanwhile, the match between CD Santa Clara and fellow strugglers Clube Académica de Coimbra ended goalless.

Beira-mar on the brink
SC Beira-Mar slipped closer to relegation after losing 1-0 to Boavista FC, whose goalkeeper Ricardo scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot. Elsewhere, SC Braga defeated CD Nacional 4-1, with Nuno Rocha scoring twice.