Benfica on verge of Portuguese title

(GSM) – Benfica moved just short of claiming the Portuguese title on Saturday as they cruised to a 5-0 win over 10-man Olhanense.

Oscar Cardozo’s penalty put Benfica in front after just three minutes when Delson picked up his second booking in the opening stages of the game.

With the man advantage, Benfica added to the lead in the 18th minute when Ángel Di Maria made it 2-0.

Cardozo then secured a hat-trick in the second half, scoring his second on 54 mintues before making it 4-0 to Benfica just two minutes later.

Pablo Aimar then sealed the win with a fifth goal for the home side, which can secure the title if Braga fail to win at Naval on Sunday.

Porto, meanwhile, kept up their chase for second place with a 5-2 win at Vitória Setúbal.

Radamel Falcao opened the scoring for Porto in the 13th minute, and Maicon doubled the advantage four minutes before the break.

Henrique pulled a goal back for Setúbal in the 51st minute, but goals by Fredy Guarín (58) and Fernando Belluschi (71) extended the visitors’ lead to 4-1.

Henrique’s second in the final minute made it 4-2 before Falcao completed his own brace in stoppage time, giving the striker 23 goals on the season.