Matheus Nunes's injury time header earns victory over SL Benfica

In a game seemingly destined to end in a stalemate, Sporting Clube de Portugal struck late against SL Benfica to win the derby 1-0, and remain outright leaders in Liga NOS.

Rúben Amorim made two changes to his starting eleven, fielding a lineup of Antonio Adán, Pedro Porro, Luís Neto, Zouhair Feddal, Sebastián Coates, Nuno Mendes, Matheus Nunes, João Mário, Pedro Gonçalves, Tiago Tomás and Nuno Santos.

SL Benfica also employed a strategy of three at the back at the Estádio José Alvalade, and after 11 minutes would have to bring on Gabriel for the injured Jardel.

The first half saw few chances for either side, but Sporting CP grew in attack after 15 minutes of play, and showed a little more attacking ambition against a more defensive SL Benfica.

Benfica did enjoy an opportunity for Pizzi that went wide, but Sporting CP also came close in the opening stanza: Pedro Porro had his shot on target deflected over by Grimaldo, whilst five minutes later Neto was left alone at the back post of a corner but missed his header.

The first half in the derby ended goalless.

In the second half, SL Benfica came out with a more threatening strategy. Adán had to parry a shot from Darwin for a corner, but Sporting CP responded well and, following a set piece sequence, a scramble in the box saw Odysseas grab the ball.

Looking for more, in the 60th minute, Rúben Amorim shuffled the pack and took João Mário and Nuno Santos off to make way for João Palhinha and Jovane Cabral. SL Benfica also adjusted their team shortly afterwards, replacing Cervi with Taarabt.

15 minutes later, Amorim turned to Bruno Tabata, who came on for Tiago Tomás.

Sporting CP came close when a Pedro Gonçalves ball hit Gilberto and required a save from Odysseas, and inside the final 10 minutes João Palhinha sent a shot wide.

In the 92nd minute, with time running out, the goal finally arrived: Jovane Cabral broke down the left and crossed to the other side of the area, with Porro sending it into the six-yard-box. Odysseas deflected away with a punch, but the ball fell at the mercy of Matheus Nunes, who nodded the ball into the net with nerves of steel, claiming all three points for Sporting CP.

Sporting CP hold a four-point lead at the top of the Liga NOS table over nearest rivals FC Porto, who won earlier in the day against Rio Ave. They are 9 clear of SL Benfica after the first derby of the year.