Rivalry as old as the derby itself

Benfica-Sporting: the match which starts before the starting whistle, even before its day, has already caused real familiar revolutions. Starting with little fights between parents and children, between brothers or even friends.

The truth is that two weeks before the starting whistle, the supporters of both team have started the teasing, due to a rivalry as old as the derby itself.

Therefore, just like it is told by O Benfica, newspaper, since December 1st, 1907, date of the first official derby for the Lisboa Championship. At the time, Sporting won the match, 1-2, a clash with several incidents. The first one is the fact that eight Benfica’s athletes played on the opponent’s side. The second one is connected with the heavy rain, the green players abandoned the field and were forced by the referee to come, clearly against their will.

From that day on, when there is a match, Lisboa, Portugal and the world stop to watch these two clubs play. Benfica already hosted Sporting for 84 times in the National Championship, achieving 46 victories, what means a 54,8%.

The first one occurred on April 26^th, 1936, by 3-1, with a hat-trick of Valadas. This happened after a draw in the first clash ever for the National Championship. It was on February 10, 1935, at the historical Campo das Amoreiras, Torres scored the only red goal.

Since then, Benfica won 45 more times against our rival. Some of those victories may be found in the Club’s platinum book of fantastic memories. And there are results and performances for all tastes. Just like the routs, the 7-2 on April 28, 1946, in a match which both Arsénio and Mário Rui scored a hat-trick and Rogério scored once, the fabulous 5-1, in 1970/71, with a hat-trick by Artur Jorge, one goal by Eusébio and another one by Nené. Not to mention the legendary 5-0 in 1978, when all goals were scored in the first half: Reinaldo (2), João Alves (2) and Nené.

Then along came victories full on intensity. The 1-0 of 1992/93, when Futre scored the winning goal with 25 minutes left to play. Or the one of the following year, when Yuran and Isaías operated the comeback after a Figo’s goal. And, obviously, the unforgettable header by Luisão for the 2004/05 title.

The first of 15 “green” victories came in 1939, when, on March 19, they went to Amoreiras to get a 1-4 win, with two goals by Peyroteo, one of Cruz and the other by Mourão. Valadas scored for Benfica.

The last one occurred in 2015, with 3 goals in the first half, Teo Gutiérrez, Slimani and Bryan Ruiz, froze the Luz. Even with this bad result, the supporters never abandoned the team. At the end of the season, the eagles were celebrating our third championship in a row.

Text: João André Silva

Pics: SL Benfica