Portugal Women's Football: Sporting Leads, Benfica Stars Return

Sporting takes provisional lead as Benfica routs Marítimo and Porto stumbles again The fourth round of the Women's National Football Championship delivered a clear shake-up at the top of the table. Sporting CP moved into first place with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Torreense, while Benfica cruised to a 4-0 win at Marítimo.

FC Porto, meanwhile, extended its winless run to three matches with a 1-1 draw against Rio Ave. Sporting edges thriller in Alcochete Playing at the Estádio Aurélio Pereira within the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete, Sporting overcame Torreense in the round's headline fixture to claimprovisional leadership of the standings.

Four minutes in, Telma Encarnação broke down the right wing and found Ágata Filipa, who slotted home the rebound after her initial shot was blocked. Torreense responded through Janaína Weimer, whose long-range effort narrowly missed before the Brazilian converted apenalty in the 24th minuteafter a VAR review.

Carla Armengol restored Sporting's lead with a strike from the edge of the area just past the hour mark. Telma Encarnação added a third in the 74th minute, firing from distance.

Bárbara Latorre pulled one back for Torreense in stoppage time, but Sporting held on for the 3-2 win. Ana Borges and Andreia Norton return for Benfica Benfica's 4-0 victory over bottom-side Marítimo in Funchal was marked by the emotional return of two Portuguese internationals.

Ana Borges made her official debut for the Lisbon club, entering as a substitute in the 79th minute. The winger had signed for Benfica before the 2025-2026 season but suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in her left knee in August 2025, sidelining her for more than a year.

Andreia Norton returned to competition after approximately 18 months out following revision surgery on her anterior cruciate ligament and treatment for a chondral injury in her right knee. Her return came with a starting role, signaling a key step in her comeback.

Moller double guides Benfica to victory Danish forward Caroline Moller scored twice for Benfica at the Campo da Imaculada Conceição. Her opener came in the eighth minute, and she added a second in the 62nd minute.

Marit Lund made it 3-0 seven minutes later. Nycole Raysla, who had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, sealed the result in the 88th minute.