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Played
April 9, 2012 8:15 PM BST
Estádio José Alvalade — Lisboa
Referee: Artur Manuel Ribeiro Soares Dias
Attendance: 47409
April 9, 2012 8:15 PM BST
Estádio José Alvalade — Lisboa
Referee: Artur Manuel Ribeiro Soares Dias
Attendance: 47409
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| Sporting | 1.15 | 3.30 | 3.25 | 3.40 | 1.10 | 3.10 |
| Draw | 6.00 | 3.10 | 3.30 | 3.40 | 6.00 | 3.30 |
| Benfica | 34.00 | 2.00 | 2.20 | 2.20 | 30.00 | 2.33 |
Sporting Lisbon 1-0 Benfica: Van Wolfswinkel penalty gives Leoes the three points as visitors' challenge stalls
The Aguias face an uphill task to claim the league title as they are now four points behind leaders Porto after a match that was largely dominated by the home side
By Luis Mira
Benfica have fallen four points behind Porto in the Portuguese Liga after a 1-0 defeat against Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio de Alvalade.
The game started off nervously, with both sides clearly understanding the importance of the match, and for the opening 15 minutes neither team could dominate proceedings.
It all changed in the 16th minute, when Ricky van Wolfswinkel fell inside the Benfica box after being touched by Luisao on the neck. The Dutch striker made no mistake from the spot, sending Artur the wrong way to put Sporting in the lead.
The hosts were now in control of the game, but they surprisingly looked content with the result and were unable to create much more danger in the first half. Benfica were having a hard time finding space inside Sporting's half, with Cardozo's 39th-minute header the only time they gave Rui Patricio a scare, but the ball went wide of the right post.
Sporting came out stronger iafter the break and gave a warning just five minutes in. Javi Garcia lost possession in a dangerous area, and Van Wolfswinkel forced Artur to tip his shot from outside the box over the bar.
Just moments later, Benfica came close to equalising following a scramble in the Sporting box, but Maxi Pereira’s header was cleared off the line by Emiliano Insua.
The game was now being played at a frantic pace, with both sides growing in confidence, and the hosts almost doubled their lead on the hour mark, when Van Wolfswinkel picked up a sloppy back-pass from Javi Garcia. With only Artur to beat, the striker saw the Brazilian custodian stop his low shot just inside the 18-yard box.
Sporting were in the driving seat at this point and were just inches away from scoring their second of the night in the 63rd minute, as Marat Izmailov unleashed an unstoppable shot from distance only to see it smash against the bar.
Van Wolfswinkel will have cursed his luck in the 72nd minute after picking up a pass from Elias and rounding Artur. The Dutchman had a clear path to goal, but slipped as he tried to shoot.
Before the end of the match, Benfica were reduced to 10 men as Luisao saw his second yellow for a foul on Diego Rubio.
With this result, Sporting are now one point behind Maritimo in the race for the fourth place. Benfica remain second but now four points shy of leaders Porto, who defeated Sporting de Braga 1-0 on Saturday.
The game started off nervously, with both sides clearly understanding the importance of the match, and for the opening 15 minutes neither team could dominate proceedings.
It all changed in the 16th minute, when Ricky van Wolfswinkel fell inside the Benfica box after being touched by Luisao on the neck. The Dutch striker made no mistake from the spot, sending Artur the wrong way to put Sporting in the lead.
The hosts were now in control of the game, but they surprisingly looked content with the result and were unable to create much more danger in the first half. Benfica were having a hard time finding space inside Sporting's half, with Cardozo's 39th-minute header the only time they gave Rui Patricio a scare, but the ball went wide of the right post.
Sporting came out stronger iafter the break and gave a warning just five minutes in. Javi Garcia lost possession in a dangerous area, and Van Wolfswinkel forced Artur to tip his shot from outside the box over the bar.
Just moments later, Benfica came close to equalising following a scramble in the Sporting box, but Maxi Pereira’s header was cleared off the line by Emiliano Insua.
The game was now being played at a frantic pace, with both sides growing in confidence, and the hosts almost doubled their lead on the hour mark, when Van Wolfswinkel picked up a sloppy back-pass from Javi Garcia. With only Artur to beat, the striker saw the Brazilian custodian stop his low shot just inside the 18-yard box.
Sporting were in the driving seat at this point and were just inches away from scoring their second of the night in the 63rd minute, as Marat Izmailov unleashed an unstoppable shot from distance only to see it smash against the bar.
Van Wolfswinkel will have cursed his luck in the 72nd minute after picking up a pass from Elias and rounding Artur. The Dutchman had a clear path to goal, but slipped as he tried to shoot.
Before the end of the match, Benfica were reduced to 10 men as Luisao saw his second yellow for a foul on Diego Rubio.
With this result, Sporting are now one point behind Maritimo in the race for the fourth place. Benfica remain second but now four points shy of leaders Porto, who defeated Sporting de Braga 1-0 on Saturday.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In BST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Jackson Martínez Striker Porto |
26 | 4 |
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Lima Striker Benfica |
20 | 3 |
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Ó. Cardozo Striker Benfica |
17 | 8 |
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Ricky van Wolfswinkel Striker Sporting |
14 | 0 |
|
Meyong Ze Striker |
13 | 5 |
