AC Milan (foto: Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho’s Benfica came back from 0-2 against Porto to secure a dramatic derby draw and remain the only unbeaten team in Portugal after 25 league rounds.
Benfica produced a dramatic comeback in the Lisbon derby against Porto, fighting back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw and extend their unbeaten run in the Portuguese league.
The team led by Jose Mourinho entered the match in third place but remained the only side in the competition without a defeat this season. Porto, considered the main title favorite, looked in full control during the first half at the Estádio da Luz.
The visitors opened the scoring early. In the 10th minute, Victor Froholdt chased a long pass, broke through the defence, and finished calmly to give Porto the lead.
The advantage doubled in the 40th minute. Seventeen-year-old Oskar Pietuszewski beat his marker in a one-on-one counterattack before placing the ball past the goalkeeper for 2-0.
Mourinho reacted during the break and his team returned with far more intensity. Andreas Schjelderup sparked the comeback in the 70th minute, reacting fastest after a rebound and pushing the ball into the net.
The dramatic equaliser arrived late in the match. In the 89th minute, Leandro Barreiro, the Luxembourg international, finished a well-worked attack down the right wing to secure a valuable point for Benfica.
After 25 rounds, Benfica remain the only unbeaten team in the championship with 17 wins and eight draws. Despite the strong record, Mourinho’s team stays in third place.
Porto, who suffered only one defeat this season, recorded their third draw but still lead the table, while Sporting sit in second place.
In the next round, Benfica will travel to face Arouca, currently 11th in the standings. Porto will first turn their attention to the Europa League, where they meet Stuttgart.