What a weekend for Benfica fans! The Pope visits Fátima, Lisbon-born Salvador Sobral wins the Eurovision Song Contest and The Eagles secured their fourth consecutive Primeira Liga title.
The five goal drubbing of Vitória de Guimarães last Sunday ensured that Benfica fans the length and breadth of the Algarve would be partying well into the night.
In an exhilarating display of fast-attacking football the Lisbon giants cruised to a 4-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from Franco Cervi, Raul Jimenez, Pizzi and Jonas.
Brazilian international Jonas completed the rout with a second-half penalty to trigger wild celebrations throughout the Portuguese capital.
It is the first time in Benfica’s illustrious history that the club has won four-straight championship titles.
Fifty years ago, Benfica won the title when the incomparable Eusébio scored 31 goals in just 26 league games.
This season Konstantinos Mitroglou (15) and Jonas (13) have topped the goal scoring chart as Benfica have maintained top spot in the Primeira Liga since early September.
Manager Rui Vitória has now won the title twice with Benfica after moving from Vitória de Guimarães in 2015.
Last October he surpassed former Sheffield United and England international Jimmy Hagan’s 43-year-old record of 15 consecutive away wins in the league with a 2-0 victory at Belenenses.
By CHRIS WRIGHT
Photo by: ANTONIO COTRIM/LUSA
