Benfica win Portuguese championship

(GSM) – Benfica beat Rio Ave 2-1 to win the Portuguese league crown for the 32nd time on Sunday.

The Lisbon side needed just one point to secure the title although even a defeat would not have caused any panic as their goal difference was much better than that of second-placed Sporting Braga.

Oscar Cardozo scored the opening goal for Benfica in the third minute and the hosts knew that this had to be their day when Rio Ave’s Wires was sent off just eight minutes later.

Ricardo Chaves did level in the 71st minute but Cardozo scored his second of the night seven minutes later for a 2-1 victory.

Sporting Braga were held to a 1-1 draw at Nacional in their final game. Edgar Silva scored for the hosts in the 50th minute, but Wason Renteria equalised six minutes later.

Benfica qualify for the Champions League while Sporting Braga get to appear in the preliminary rounds. Europa League spots are taken by Porto and Sporting Lisbon.

At the bottom, Belenenses and Leixoes face at least a year away from the top flight.