Portuguese giants Benfica have clinched their first league championship in five years after defeating Rio Ave 2-1 in the Estadio da Luz on Sunday night. This is the 32nd league triumph in the history of The Eagles as they pipped Sporting de Braga to the post.
Manager Jorge Jesus has come up trumps in his first season for the club after taking over the reins from former manager Quique Sanchez Flores last summer.
Benfica thoroughly deserves their plaudits as they have been in scintillating form throughout the thirty game campaign, establishing an unbeaten home record and suffering just two defeats on their travels.
The Reds only needed a point to guarantee the title against a Rio Ave side lingering in the bottom half of the table with nothing to play for. Paraguayan Oscar Cardozo bagged a brace for the Lisbon outfit as he netted in the 3rd and 78th minute. Ricardo Chaves equalized for the visitors but this was ultimately going to be Benfica’s night as they land their first league championship since 2005.
Cardozo has capped off a wonderful season by landing the leagues golden boot following his double. The front man has bagged 26 goals this season, just one ahead of Falcao of FC Porto, who will have to settle for Europa League football next term after missing out on the Champions League to runners up Braga.
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