Benfica hold on for Europe

SL Benfica secured second place in the Portuguese Superliga – and with it a UEFA Champions League qualifying berth – courtesy of a 0-0 draw against UD Leiria on the last day of the season.

Necessary minimum
José Antonio Camacho's side managed to do precisely the minimum necessary to qualify for European competition next season by avoiding defeat, meaning the three points Sporting Clube de Portugal collected from their 2-0 away win against Vitória SC was largely irrelevant. Marius Niculae and João Pinto were both on target for the visitors, who qualify for the UEFA Cup, late in the second half.

Home comfort
Sporting are joined in the UEFA Cup by CD Nacional, who powered to a 4-0 home defeat of Rio Ave FC and SC Braga, who overcame CF Os Belenenses 2-0. CS Marítimo, meanwhile, lost 2-1 at Boavista FC.

Relegated clubs
Alverca Futebol SAD were defeated 3-1 away against Moreirense FC on Sunday and were relegated along with last-placed CF Estrela da Amadora. They went down 4-1 at home to AA Coimbra and FC Paços de Ferreira while Gil Vicente FC saw off SC Beira-Mar 3-0.

McCarthy hat-trick
Benni McCarthy’s hat-trick in FC Porto’s 3-1 defeat of second bottom Paços at the Estádio Dragão prevented the visitors from finishing the season on a high note. José Mourinho’s team, who clinched the league title a fortnight ago, face AS Monaco in the Champions League final on 26 May.