Thousands of Benfica football fans swarmed through Lisbon’s city centre streets on Sunday evening after the team won the 32nd National Football Championships.
Marquês de Pombal roundabout and Avenida de Liberdade and Fontes Pereira de Melo avenues were swelled by hoards of chanting, singing crowds sporting red Benfica t-shirts and waving scarves with the words Campeão (champion).
Sunday evening’s 2-1 victory against Rio Ave, which took place in Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz stadium, before more than 64,000 spectators, marked the end of a five-year run of bad luck for the ‘reds’.
The night sky over the city’s Marquês de Pombal roundabout and Eduardo VII Park was lit up crimson at midnight by a spectacular five minute fireworks display to mark the ‘Eagles’ victory.
Hundreds of motorists took to the streets that weren’t closed off to traffic and raced around the city tooting their horns and waving scarves and banners out of sunroofs and car windows.
The odds were on Benfica, led by team trainer Jorge Jesus, winning and only if they had lost the game at home and Sporting de Braga had won in Madeira would the cup have escaped their grasp.
Braga’s second place finish, five points behind Benfica on 71 points, was the team’s best ever league performance and ensured them a place in next season’s Champion’s League third qualifying round.
Porto, last season’s champions, came in at third place but have secured their position in the Europa League next season alongside Sporting (4th) and Marítimo (5th). Beleneses and Leixões have been relegated. Chris Graeme
