Benfica and Sporting battle to draw in Lisbon derby

Manuel Ugarte and Enzo Fernandes tussle in the Lisbon Derby

PRIMEIRA LIGA Benfica and Sporting battle to draw in Lisbon derby

Faruq Ibrahim 21:26 - 15.01.2023

Benfica fight back twice for a draw in the Derby de Lisboa thanks to a brace from Goncalo Ramos.

Benfica equalised twice to draw 2-2 against Sporting thanks to a brace from Goncalo Ramos.

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The away team took the lead in the Derby de Lisboa, but the host equalised ten minutes later to send the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica rocking. Sporting went ahead against the league leaders again in the second-half thanks to a penalty, but Goncalo Ramos' second goal of the game in the 64th minute for Benfica meant both teams settled for a draw at the end of the match. 

January 15, 2023, Lisbon, Portugal: Goncalo Ramos from Benfica celebrates during Liga Portugal BWIN football match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio da Luz
January 15, 2023, Lisbon, Portugal: Goncalo Ramos from Benfica celebrates during Liga Portugal BWIN football match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio da Luz

Sporting went ahead in the 27th minute, thanks to an own-goal by Benfica's Alexander Bah. The second goal came ten minutes after the first, with Goncalo Ramos scoring his first of the game to draw the game 1-1. Pedro Goncalves converted a VAR-awarded penalty in the 53rd minute to send Sporting back ahead, but Ramos would have the last say as his goal in the 64th minute was the last of the game, ending it 2-2.

Both teams remain unchanged on the log, first and fourth. The one point takes Benfica to 41 points and Sporting to 29 points.

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Goncalo Ramos' brace helps Benfica to draw

Sporting went ahead in the 27th minute, but the goal did not come off the boot of a Leoes player; rather, it was Benfica's Alexander Bah, in an attempt to intercept a pass, who bundled the ball home to give the away team the lead.

A Benfica player also scored the game's second goal, this time in the right post. Goncalo Ramos finds the bottom right corner after connecting with a beautifully threaded pass from Rafa Silva.

In the early stages of the second half, VAR overturned a play missed by referee Arthur Soares Dias, in which a Sporting player was fouled in the box. A penalty was awarded, and Sporting's Pedro Goncalves made no mistake, slotting the ball past Odysseas Vlachodimos in goal for Benfica.

Pedro Goncalves from Sporting CP (C) in action during Liga Portugal BWIN football match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio da Luz.
Pedro Goncalves from Sporting CP (C) in action during Liga Portugal BWIN football match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio da Luz.

Benfica equalised ten minutes after conceding for the second time in the game. Goncalo Ramos grabbed his brace after getting on the end of a ground cross into the box by Alejandro Grimaldo.

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Benfica fail to extend league lead 

Sporting came into the game with a chance to reduce the deficit on the top three teams in the league.

Recall that only the top three teams in the Primeira Liga qualify for the Champions League, with the third even going through the playoff process.

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Sporting were third going into the game, five points behind third-place Porto. Following Porto's win this matchday, Sporting are now seven points away from the coveted Champions League spot.

Benfica, on the other hand, have seen their league lead cut short to only four points.

They are now on 41 points, in touching distance of second-place Braga with 37 points and Porto with 36 points.