Jose Mourinho could finish his first league campaign with Benfica unbeaten, yet still miss out on the Portuguese title after Porto wrapped up the crown with two matches to spare.
Porto secured the league title after moving nine points clear of Benfica, who sit second in the Primeira Liga. Under president Andre Villas-Boas, the champions have lost just once in 32 league games. Benfica, by contrast, remain unbeaten but have drawn 10 times, six more than Porto.
Mourinho’s side will complete an invincible campaign if they avoid defeat against Braga and Estoril Praia in their final two fixtures. It would not be the first time Benfica have gone unbeaten and finished without the title. In 1977-1978, Porto edged them on goal difference despite drawing fewer matches.
If it happens, Benfica would join FC Sheriff in 2024-2025 and Red Star Belgrade in 2007-2008 as the only European sides this century to go an entire league season without losing and still miss out on the trophy.
Their grip on second place is also under threat. Benfica lead Sporting by three points, but Sporting have a game in hand and a better goal difference.
Portuguese outlet A Bola claimed Benfica had “gifted” Porto 12 points after surrendering leads in six of their draws. Title hopes effectively ended after a 2-2 draw at Famalicao, a result that sparked fury from club president Rui Costa.
“No one has the right to decide who wins championships or who goes to the Champions League other than the players and coaches on the field, and what happened here today was not that,” Costa said.
Costa argued Famalicao were wrongly awarded a penalty and said their second goal “came from a corner which wasn’t a corner”.
He added, “It unequivocally explains what this referee came here to do today. Trying to make sure Benfica got beaten here.”
