Bright beginning from Benfica

Giovanni Trapattoni made a winning start to his first Portuguese Superleague campaign at the helm of SL Benfica, watching his new charges triumph 3-2 away against SC Beira-Mar on Sunday.

Karadas double
Three goals in eight minutes either side of the break had given Benfica a handsome lead but an incredible comeback seemed on the cards once Antolín Alcaraz and Beto had significantly reduced the arrears with 22 frantic minutes left to play. Ultimately, though, a double strike from Azar Karadas punctuated by Petit's goal proved just enough for Trapattoni's men.

Martelinho magic
A solitary Martelinho goal on the hour gave Boavista FC victory in their home game against CD Nacional. Elsewhere, GD Estoril-Praia's opener against Rio Ave FC and Moreirense FC's home game with Vitória SC both ended goalless, but there was considerably more drama when FC Penafiel took on visiting Vitória FC - with five goals, two red cards and a missed penalty.

Igor seals it
The visitors saw Albert Meyong's early goal cancelled out by Roberto on 14 minutes and were facing just ten men by the time Auri Dias gave them a 2-1 lead shortly after half-time. Pedro Moreira had been sent off for Penafiel just before the break and things got worse for the home side when Ze Rui made it 3-1 on 54 minutes. Bruno Ribeiro's dismissal seconds later evened up the sides but it was not enough to get the hosts back into the game and Brazilian Igor's strike at the death completed a 4-1 away victory. Penafiel's Clayton Ferreira had missed a 36th-minute penalty.

Strong start
CF Os Belenenses made a strong start to the season by defeating visitors CS Maritimo 3-0. Rolando Fonseca got them off the mark after 25 minutes and after Henri Antchouet had doubled the lead in added time at the end of the first half, 21-year-old Lourenço converted a 63rd-minute penalty.

Goal at each end
Liedson Muniz scored twice as Sporting Clube de Portugal got off to a winning start at home against Gil Vicente FC, whose Marcos Antonio scored for both sides. By the time Antonio attoned for his 18th-minute own goal, Muniz had already put Sporting two goals to the good and the striker made it 3-1 with his second of the game on 77 minutes. Fabio's strike for the visitors failed to inspire his side to clinch a draw.

Porto postponed
Monday night's game saw A. Académica de Coimbra draw 2-2 with SC Braga, while defending champions FC Porto had their fixture against UD Leiria pushed back until 22 September due to their involvement in Friday night's UEFA Super Cup.