Benfica strike out ahead

By Rui Matos Pereira

SL Benfica claimed the outright lead in the Portuguese SuperLiga this weekend - but champions FC Porto are hot on their heels.

Karadas strikes
Benfica were level on points with CS Marítimo prior to the seventh round of fixtures, and Giovanni Trapattoni's side claimed a 2-0 Sunday home win against CD Nacional. Azar Karadas filled in for the suspended Nuno Gomes up front for Benfica, and within two minutes the Norwegian striker had volleyed his team ahead. Substitute Tomislav Šokota headed in a Simão Sabrosa free-kick ten minutes from time to double the lead and ensure Alexandre Goulart's late free-kick was only a consolation for the visitors.

Porto victory
Marítimo, however, fell to a 1-0 defeat at A. Académica de Coimbra, who were mourning their president João Moreno after he died late last week. Paulo Adriano headed in a corner on 25 minutes for the winner, meaning Porto were able to take over second place, one point behind Benfica, when they overcame FC Penafiel 2-0. Benni McCarthy claimed the goals on 13 and 24 minutes.

Braga beaten
A further point behind Porto in third are Vitória FC, who had led the league on Saturday night after a 3-2 win at SC Braga. Despite leading 2-1 at the break, Braga fell to second-half strikes by Manuel José and Ricardo Chaves and are now fifth, a place behind Marítimo.

Sporting relief
Sporting are sixth, but on Saturday needed Liedson and Rudolph Douala goals in the last five minutes to overcome CF Os Belenenses, while Moreirense FC drew 0-0 with Rio Ave FC. Boavista FC were held by the same score against GD Estoril-Praia on Friday night, and in Sunday's remaining fixtures, Vitória SC saw off bottom team Gil Vicente FC 2-1, while UD Leiria won 1-0 at SC Beira-Mar.