SL Benfica Women 3-1 Sporting CP Women | Portugal Campeonato Nacional Feminino | 2 May 2026

SL Benfica Women delivered a commanding performance to defeat eternal rivals Sporting CP Women 3-1 in a pulsating Lisbon derby at the Estádio da Luz. The result keeps Benfica firmly in the title race and hands Sporting a damaging blow to their own championship ambitions.

Match Summary

Benfica started at lightning pace, pressing Sporting from the first minute. The breakthrough came in the 14th minute when Lara Pereira latched onto a through-ball from Inês Silva, rounding the goalkeeper and slotting into an empty net. The home crowd erupted, and Benfica doubled their lead just before half-time. A corner from the left was met by Sofia Costa, whose powerful header gave the Sporting keeper no chance.

Sporting pulled one back early in the second half through a penalty converted by Mariana Santos after a handball in the box. Suddenly, the visitors were back in the contest, and the atmosphere turned tense. But Benfica restored their two-goal cushion in the 71st minute when Catarina Ribeiro finished a sweeping counter-attack, driving low into the far corner.

Key Moments

• 14' – Goal: Lara Pereira (Benfica) – clinical finish after a perfect through-ball.
• 44' – Goal: Sofia Costa (Benfica) – towering header from a corner.
• 56' – Goal: Mariana Santos (Sporting) – penalty after a handball.
• 71' – Goal: Catarina Ribeiro (Benfica) – composed finish on the break.

Tactical Story

Benfica's high press suffocated Sporting's build-up play, forcing errors in dangerous areas. The home side dominated the midfield battle through Rita Gomes, who dictated the tempo and won countless duels. Sporting improved after the interval, shifting to a more direct approach, but Benfica's defensive organisation and pace on the counter made them lethal.

The derby showcased Benfica's depth: three different scorers, all from midfield and attack, underlined their versatility. Sporting, by contrast, relied too heavily on individual moments and could not sustain pressure.

Standings Impact

The victory keeps Benfica second in the Portugal Campeonato Nacional Feminino table with 40 points from 16 matches, three points behind leaders Braga. Sporting drop to fourth on 33 points, now six points adrift of the summit. For Benfica, this derby win provides crucial momentum as the season enters its decisive phase.