Early Goals Fire Benfica Past Nacional in Primeira Liga Clash
Sport Lisboa e Benfica made a fast start count as they defeated CD Nacional 2–0 in a Primeira Liga regular-season fixture on matchday 29, played on 12 April 2026. Two goals inside the opening quarter of an hour were enough to wrap up the points for the hosts in Lisbon.
Benfica struck almost immediately. In the 3rd minute, Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring, finishing a move created by Gianluca Prestianni to give the home side an early 1–0 lead. The same combination soon troubled Nacional again, as Prestianni provided another assist in the 14th minute, this time for Rafa Silva, who doubled Benfica’s advantage to 2–0.
The early cushion allowed Benfica to control the tempo, although the match data does not provide further detailed statistics such as possession or shots. The only caution for the home side came in the 22nd minute, when Samuel Dahl was shown a yellow card.
Nacional’s efforts to respond after the break were accompanied by a flurry of bookings. Witi went into the referee’s book in the 50th minute, followed by Léo Santos (56’) and Matheus Dias (58’). Late yellow cards for Joel Silva and Lenny Vallier in stoppage time underlined a frustrating evening for the visitors.
Both coaches turned to their benches in the second half. Nacional brought on Pablo Ruan and Filipe Soares just after the hour mark, while Benfica introduced Franjo Ivanovic, Dodi Lukebakio, Fredrik Aursnes, Enzo Barrenechea and, in stoppage time, Gonçalo Moreira. Nacional later added further changes, including João Aurélio in the 90th minute.
With no additional goals after Rafa Silva’s early strike, Benfica comfortably saw out the match to claim a 2–0 victory. More granular data such as full lineups, attendance figures and minute-by-minute statistics are not available in the provided match report.
More on this fixture and the Primeira Liga table can be found on Ballaxy and the Primeira Liga hub.
Primeira Liga Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
FC Porto
|
32 | 27 | 4 | 1 | 64 | 15 | 49 | 85 | W W W W D |
| 2 |
Sporting Clube de Portugal
|
32 | 23 | 7 | 2 | 82 | 23 | 59 | 76 | W D D L W |
| 3 |
Sport Lisboa e Benfica
|
32 | 22 | 10 | 0 | 69 | 22 | 47 | 76 | D W W W D |
| 4 |
Sporting Clube de Braga
|
32 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 60 | 32 | 28 | 57 | D L W D W |
| 5 |
FC Famalicão
|
32 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 41 | 29 | 12 | 52 | D W D D D |
| 6 |
Gil Vicente FC
|
32 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 46 | 32 | 14 | 50 | D W L D |
| 7 |
Vitória SC
|
32 | 12 | 6 | 14 | 39 | 48 | -9 | 42 | L W W D |
| 8 |
Moreirense FC
|
32 | 12 | 6 | 14 | 37 | 47 | -10 | 42 | W L W D L |
| 9 |
GD Estoril Praia
|
32 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 52 | 53 | -1 | 38 | D L L L L |
| 10 |
FC Alverca
|
32 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 34 | 50 | -16 | 38 | L W L W W |
| 11 |
FC Arouca
|
32 | 10 | 6 | 16 | 41 | 62 | -21 | 36 | D L W L W |
| 12 |
Rio Ave FC
|
32 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 33 | 52 | -19 | 35 | D L D W L |
| 13 |
CD Santa Clara
|
32 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 30 | 40 | -10 | 33 | D W D L |
| 14 |
CD Nacional
|
32 | 8 | 7 | 17 | 35 | 43 | -8 | 31 | L W W L W |
| 15 |
CF Estrela da Amadora
|
32 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 36 | 54 | -18 | 28 | L L L L L |
| 16 |
Casa Pia AC
|
32 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 29 | 56 | -27 | 26 | L L L D L |
| 17 |
CD Tondela
|
32 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 24 | 52 | -28 | 25 | W D L L D |
| 18 |
AVS
|
32 | 2 | 11 | 19 | 24 | 66 | -42 | 17 | W D D D |
