Benfica vs Sporting: Late Red Card Denies Mourinho Victory in Lisbon Derby

6 December 2025 Football

Introduction: The Lisbon Derby’s Significance

The Lisbon Derby between Benfica and Sporting CP remains one of Portuguese football’s most intense rivalries, and the latest instalment on December 5, 2025, did not disappoint. Taking place at the Estádio da Luz for the 13th round of the Liga Portugal, this match carried significant implications for the title race, with Benfica seeking to close a three-point gap on their visitors.

Match Summary: A Tale of Two Halves

Sporting took the lead after 12 minutes when Pote found the bottom right corner, assisted by Morten Hjulmand. However, Benfica responded swiftly. Heorhii Sudakov equalised with a left-footed shot from close range to the bottom left corner, making it 1-1 before half-time.

Under José Mourinho’s management, Benfica dominated the second half as Sporting failed to register a single shot after the break. Despite their superiority, Benfica produced 1.37 expected goals from 10 shots compared to Sporting’s 0.5 from five attempts, highlighting their inefficiency in front of goal.

Controversial Red Card Decides the Outcome

The match’s defining moment came in stoppage time. Gianluca Prestianni was sent off after committing a hard foul on Geny Catamo, with the yellow card upgraded to red following VAR review. This dismissal ended any hopes Benfica had of securing all three points.

Conclusion: Implications and Records

Despite being down a player, Benfica managed a 1-1 draw against Sporting in the 13th round of the competition. The result means Benfica missed the chance to move up to second in the Primeira Liga, allowing Porto the opportunity to move five points clear at the top.

For José Mourinho, there’s a silver lining: the Portuguese coach maintained his unbeaten record against Sporting, winning four and drawing three of his games against his rivals. Meanwhile, Sporting’s struggles at Estádio da Luz continue, having secured only two wins in their last 20 league visits, with their most recent victory in December 2021. As the title race intensifies, both Lisbon giants will need to find consistency if they hope to challenge Porto’s dominance at the summit.