Football United

Benfica struck twice in the second-half to overcome CF Estrela da Amadora in the Portuguese Liga and move up to third in the table. Russian international Andrei Kariaka opened the scoring on 49 minutes with his first goal for the league champions from a Nélson cross. The right-back was the provider again 12 minutes later when he set up Nuno Gomes for his eighth goal in as many league games this season to double Benfica's lead.

Goalkeeper Quim failed to finish a game for a second time in succession. He was replaced by 19-year-old Rui Nereu, who followed up his substitute superb display against Villarreal CF in the UEFA Champions League with a clean sheet.

Benfica coach Ronald Koeman said: "After a very complicated first half, where we didn't create many goalscoring opportunities, the team was focused and worked well. We know that matches have 90 minutes and, in the second half, we were quicker and had more pace in attack. After Kariaka's goal, we were able to control the match and create more danger."

SUPERLIGA

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Braga 8 20
2. Porto 8 17
3. Benfica 8 16
4. Nacional 8 15
5. Rio Ave 8 13

Source: uefa.com, slbenfica.pt