The only time Benfica celebrated a title win in Alvalada was during the 1974/75 season when they drew against the Lions to win their 21st title (37 in total), capitalizing on a 1-1 draw.
Benfica reached Alvalade also in the penultimate round with an advantage of four points. Fragito (30′) still gave the Lions the advantage, but Diamantino Costa’s (52′) goal was decisive.
But there are other derbies that proved to be decisive for the title. In the 90s, and more precisely in 1994, the famous 6-3 game was played in Alvalada (Benfica’s triumph with a hat-trick by Joao Pinto).
The result, which deprived Sporting of leadership and the corresponding title. Another symbolic triumph for Benfica in Alvalada was taken by Sabri (free with no chance for Schmeichel), who ended up postponing the Lions title, which would be confirmed the next day, and ended an 18-year starvation. We were in the 1999/2000 season.
Already in this century, in 2003, Sporting defeated Benfica in the derby at Hamora (Luz was under construction) and eventually gave the title to Porto five days before the end. But it was in the 2004/05 season that a derby decided the title in favor of Benfica in a match made famous by a deal between Luisão and goalkeeper Ricardo. The Lions called a foul on the goalkeeper, but the referee confirmed the goal that brought Benfica the title. The last time a title was determined by a derby was in 2011/12, when Jorge Jesus defeated Sporting Lisbon 1-0 over Benfica to give the title to Vitor Pereira’s Porto.
Author: Mario Figueiredo
Source: CM Jornal
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