Benfica has gone through the entire Primeira Liga season unbeaten with two games remaining but will not win the league, finishing with 10 draws that cost them the title [1]. Porto have secured the Portuguese league championship after moving nine points clear of Benfica [1].
Porto lost just one of their 32 league matches this season under president Andre Villas-Boas, a key factor in edging out Benfica for the title [1]. Benfica can complete their unbeaten season if they avoid defeat in their final two matches against Braga and Estoril Praia [1]. They previously had an unbeaten season without winning the league in 1977-78 [1]. If they miss out again this season, Benfica will join FC Sheriff Moldova (2024-25) and Red Star Belgrade (2007-08) as rare European teams in this century to go unbeaten yet fail to win their league title [1].
Benfica president Rui Costa sharply criticized refereeing after a 2-2 draw with Famalicao on May 2 that effectively ended their title hopes. Costa accused referees of awarding a controversial penalty and wrongly granting a corner that led to Famalicao’s second goal. He said, "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 added, "Famalicao were unfairly awarded a penalty, while their second goal came from a corner which wasn't a corner. It unequivocally explains what this referee came here to do today. Trying to make sure Benfica got beaten here" [1].
The Portuguese football referees’ association announced plans to file a complaint against Rui Costa over his comments [1]. Benfica coach Jose Mourinho also expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating in the Famalicao match, calling it "a good reflection" of the issues faced [1].
Benfica has 10 draws this season, six more than Porto, which contributed to missing out on the title despite their unbeaten record [1]. Benfica sits second but only three points ahead of Sporting, who have a game in hand and a superior goal difference. This means Benfica could still finish third before the season ends [1].
Benfica will face Braga and Estoril Praia in their last two league matches to try to maintain their unbeaten status [1].
