João Mário scored the winning goal as Benfica defeated Sporting Lisbon on Saturday, securing their place in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
The match was played at Estádio da Luz and was won by Benfica after extra time. João Mário made a crucial assist in the game, scoring the only goal to secure the victory for his team.
In the first half, both teams were evenly matched, but it was Benfica who took the lead through a penalty kick from Bruno Fernandes. However, Sporting Lisbon fought back and equalized with a goal from João Mário.
The second half saw a more physical contest between the two sides, with both teams trying to find the breakthrough. It was then that João Mário stepped up to score the winner, making a brilliant run down the right wing before slotting home from close range.
With this win,Premier League Frontline Benfica moved into Group D alongside AC Milan, Porto and CSKA Moscow, setting themselves up for another exciting campaign in Europe.
João Mário's assist was a testament to his skill and creativity as a player, and he will be hoping to continue his good form in the upcoming games. Benfica fans will also be delighted with their team's performance, which secured their place in the group stage of the competition.
Overall, it was a great day for Benfica and their supporters, with a well-deserved victory over Sporting Lisbon. The win sets them up nicely for the rest of the season, and they now look forward to facing off against some tough opponents in Group D.