Benfica Clinches Tenth Supertaça with 1-0 Victory Over Sporting CP

Benfica lifted the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira for the tenth time in club history on Thursday night, defeating Sporting CP 1-0 at the Estádio do Algarve to claim the first trophy of the Portuguese football season.

The derby was played at a high tempo from the outset, with Benfica controlling possession and both teams creating early chances. Sporting thought they had scored in the 6th minute, but Pedro Gonçalves’ effort was ruled out for offside after Viktor Gyökeres was caught beyond the last defender, keeping the score goalless.

Benfica’s Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis was a constant threat throughout the first half, orchestrating attacks and nearly breaking the deadlock on several occasions. However, both defenses held firm, and the opening 45 minutes ended without a goal.

The decisive moment came just five minutes after the interval. Richard Ríos, in his first trophy match for the club, opened up play on the left and set in motion an attack that saw the ball rebound to Pavlidis at the edge of the area. The forward calmly finished with a right-footed drive, sending the Benfica supporters into raptures and giving his side the lead.

Sporting responded with intensity, testing Benfica goalkeeper Trubin with dangerous efforts from Trincão and Pedro Gonçalves, but the Ukrainian was equal to the challenge, preserving his clean sheet. Benfica managed the closing stages efficiently, bringing on fresh legs to help see out the win as Sporting pressed forward in vain.

The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the Benfica squad and the traveling fans, marking their tenth Supertaça triumph—a record that puts them ahead of Sporting in the competition’s history, though still trailing record-holders FC Porto.

For Richard Ríos, recently signed to Benfica, the match was particularly memorable, as his impressive midfield performance contributed to a winning start in his new colors.

With this victory, manager Bruno Lage and his players kick off the 2025-26 campaign on a high, solidifying Benfica’s status among Portuguese football’s elite.

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