Matheus Pereira strikes twice to beat Benfica in B derby

João de Deus' side put in a dominating performance against Benfica B this Sunday, keeping Sporting's Lisbon rivals in the relegation zone in the process. Matheus Pereira stole the show with two strikes, however Daniel Podence was also key to unlocking the Benfica B defence with the crucial pass for both goals.

The first-half got off to a slow start, with Benfica attempting to build from the back against a Sporting side that did a fine job of pestering the visitors with some high pressure defending. With the ball at their feet, Sporting B looked extremely dangerous and it wasn't long before chances on goal followed. The first came from a bursting run down the left flank by Podence, but Gauld should have done better when connecting with the resulting cross.

A couple of minutes later, it was the same formula out wide that drew a penalty and the first goal of the afternoon, when a Benfica defender cut out Podence's cross with his arm. Matheus Pereira stepped up for the conversion and the senior team regular smartly tucked away the chance. Benfica responded with one of their sparing chances of the afternoon, in fact with a penalty of their own, but Diogo Gonçalves was denied Stojkovic from the 12-yard spot.

Sporting dominated the result of the half with some strategic play and chances again began to creep in. Podence came up just inches short of a spectacular goal after some good link up play with Matheus, but the narrow lead maintained as the interval whistle sounded.

The second-half brought total dominance for João de Deus' charges, but the first chance actually fell to Benfica, when a well rehearsed corner called Stojkovic into action for possibly the best save of the encounter. The opportunity saw the visitors open up and Sporting wasted little time in exploiting the extra space, with Matheus' pace punishing Benfica with the skillful winger's second goal of the afternoon.

Although holding a 2-0 lead, Sporting continued to press, particularly after Ruben Dias was given his marching orders for a foul on Mama Baldé. Matheus Pereira and Daniel Podence again linked up late on for one final opportunity, but the Benfica keeper parried away for a corner.