Benfica 2-1 Leixoes

Game              : Benfica vs Leixoes

Competition :  Portuguese Liga

Final score   : Benfica 2-1 Leixoes ( Elvis OG 16′, Nuno Gomes 67′/ Rodrigo Silva 74′)

In Friday’s only Portuguese Liga game,  10 man Benfica beat Leixoes to reduce FC Porto’s  lead at the top of the league to one point.

An Elvis own goal gave Benfica the lead in the 16th minute. The Leixoes player put Jose Antonio Reyes’ cross past his own keeper to put Benfica 1-0 up. Striker Nuno Gomes, a second half substitute for Reyes, doubled Benfica’s lead when he sent the ball in at the far post from Cardozo’s cross.

Carlos Martins, himself a first half substitute for Ruben Amorim, was forced off the field after a challenge with Hugo Morais. It reduced Benfica to 10 men as they had used up all their substitutions, and Leixoes immediately took advantage as Silva pulled one back for them in the 74th minute.

Leixoes, who would have gone above Benfica had they won, applied tremendous pressure in the final minutes, but Benfica held on to win 2-1.

Leaders Porto take on Sporting Lisbon on Saturday.