Sporting CP claimed a hard-fought victory over their city rivals Benfica on December 29, 2024, winning the highly anticipated Lisbon Derby, known as the 'Derby da Capital', with a score of 1-0.
The match, held at the iconic Estádio José Alvalade, marked the end of the year positively for Sporting CP, who needed this win to restore their confidence and position atop the Primeira Liga standings. The only goal of the game came from Geny Catamo, who broke the deadlock at the 29-minute mark with a close-range effort after receiving an assist from Viktor Gyökeres. This early goal allowed Sporting to carry a sense of calmness through the remainder of the first half.
Although Benfica dominated possession for much of the second half, they struggled to create clear opportunities to equalize. Sporting's defense held firm, blocking several attempts from the Eagles, including close calls from Ángel Di María's free-kick and Nicolás Otamendi's header.
Nicolás Otamendi, Benfica's captain, reflected on the team's performance, emphasizing the need to shift focus from personal matters to the on-field action. "We are talking about football. Instead of focusing on family and personal travels, we need to concentrate more on the refereeing..." Otamendi stated, sharing his frustrations following the match, particularly about the officials' decisions and the team's missed chances.
Sporting's victory pushed them to 40 points, positioning them equal with Porto at the top of the league table, but with a superior goal difference. Benfica, as a result of this defeat, fell to third place with 38 points, underlining the significance of this derby not just for bragging rights but also for league standings.
Sporting's new coach Rui Borges achieved his first victory since taking over the club, following the dismissal of João Pereira. The game showcased Borges's tactical intuition as Sporting effectively managed their lead against Benfica's attempts to push for parity.
Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin stood out for Benfica, playing the full 90 minutes and earning high praise for his performance where he made five saves, demonstrating resilience even during the team's challenging moments. His efforts earned him the title of third-best player of the match, according to statistics recorded during the game.
Despite Benfica's efforts, including tactical changes made by coach Bruno Lage to push for more offensive play, the team was unable to capitalize on their possession and create penetrating opportunities necessary to score. The atmosphere of the game was charged, with both teams aware of the derby's importance to their respective supporters.
Reflecting on the match, Otamendi expressed regret over what he felt was missed opportunities and acknowledged they had "perhaps gifted away the first half" but urged his teammates to remain positive as they prepared for the upcoming matches. "Our mentality is to keep pushing forward, focusing on the next games, and treating the championship as long and full of opportunities, even after this setback," he concluded.
With 2024 coming to a close, Sporting CP finished the year on top, solidifying their aspirations for the title. The victory not only boosts the team's morale but also provides momentum heading confidently toward the future, as they aim to maintain their leading position against fierce competitors like Porto and Benfica themselves.