Benfica blow chance to move back to top of league

Benfica had the opportunity to move back into top spot after league leaders Sporting played Guimaraes to a 4-4 draw on Friday but the Lisbon club stumbled at the Luz, losing to Braga 2-1, their second straight loss in league action after losing to city rivals Sporting the previous week.

Benfica had another lackluster first half against Braga which led to their downfall as they went into the half down 2-0, it was the same disappointing performance that proved costly in their loss to Sporting. 

There second half was much better but they could not come back to take any points in the game and now sit in third spot as the season reaches the halfway point of the campaign.

Benfica will face Braga in a rematch on Wednesday in Leiria for a place in the League Cup Finals, then travel to the Algarve for a round of 16 Taca de Portugal game against Farense and then kick off the second half of the season versus Famalicao on the 17th.