Sporting CP 1-2 Benfica: Rafa deals major title blow to Borges' men

Rafa came off the bench to snatch Benfica a 2-1 derby win over Sporting CP, moving them up to second in the Primeira Liga and dealing a major blow to their hosts' title hopes.

Rafael Nel thought he had completed the Sporting comeback in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, after Hidemasa Morita had cancelled out Andreas Schjelderup's opener, but he was denied by the offside flag.

Sporting started on top, with Anatoliy Trubin turning Geny Catamo's early strike onto the bar with an unorthodox save before getting down to keep out the striker’s long-range effort shortly after.

Rui Silva then pushed Nicolas Otamendi's thumping header wide at the other end before Fredrik Aursnes gave away a penalty for tripping Trincao 19 minutes in.

Luis Suarez could not convert from 12 yards, with Trubin equal to his low attempt, but Schjelderup did score from the spot eight minutes later, firing home after Morita's handball.

Pote hit the post as Sporting tried to fight back, but it was Morita who made up for his earlier mistake with a brilliant header after meeting Zeno Debast's pinpoint cross in the 72nd minute.

Nel thought he had salvaged a win in the 91st minute after he broke through Benfica's defence to slot past Trubin, but he set off too early and was denied by the offside flag.

And just moments after the VAR check was finished, Benfica swiftly countered with Rafa sliding in to bundle home the winner, extending Benfica's superb unbeaten streak in style.

Data Debrief: Mourinho finds his winning formula

Jose Mourinho is unbeaten in all eight of his Primeira Liga matches against Sporting (W5 D3), with this his first-ever away game against them in charge of Benfica.

And he made it one to remember, as Benfica extended their unbeaten streak in the league to 30 matches (W21 D9), going on such a run from the start of the season for the first time in 1977-78.

They were deserving of their victory, racking up 2.27 expected goals (xG) from their 14 shots compared to Sporting's 1.66 xG from 19 attempts, with the hosts also hitting the woodwork twice.