Sporting Lisbon celebrates the 21st championship title in the gripping final!

Sporting Lisbon celebrates the 21st championship title in the gripping final!

Lissabon, Portugal - On May 17, 2025 Sporting Lisbon crowned the 21st time master of the Primeira League. In the decisive last game of the season, defending champion Vitoria Guimaraes defeated 2-0 and thus secured the championship profit in the remote duel against the arch -rival Benfica. The latter did not get out of a 1-1 at Sporting Braga and thus remained behind Sporting.

Both clubs were tied before the last match day and each had 79 points. But Sporting had the better starting position due to the positive direct comparison. Pedro Goncalves scored the decisive goal in the 55th minute, followed by Viktor Gyökeres, who marked the second goal in the 82nd minute and thus made the title win for Sporting clear. Gyökeres was the top scorer with 39 goals and had a lead of 20 goals on the successors in the scorer list.

the remote duel with Benfica

Benfica, who remains record champions in Portuguese football with 38 titles, could not convince on this crucial matchday. While Benfica only fought one point at the fourth place -placed Braga after an early penalty, Sporting competed against the beaten bottom Vitoria Guimaraes. A yellow-red card for Joao Moutinho from Braga and a transformed penalty from Rodrigo Zalazar in the first half led to Benfica behind Sporting.

The championship is particularly important for Sporting, since the club was able to defend the title for the first time in over 70 years after coach Ruben Amorim left the club in December 2024 and Rui Borges took over the fortunes. Despite the upcoming opportunity to win the double, after a cup final against Benfica the next weekend, the focus will remain on this championship title.

the historical rivalry

The rivalry between Benfica and Sporting, also known as the Derby de Lisboa, is one of the oldest and most exciting in Portuguese football. Sporting, founded in 1906 by an aristocratic group, represents the upscale bourgeoisie, while Benfica, founded in 1904, symbolizes working. Since then, the social difference between the fan bases has shaped the atmosphere during the encounters of both clubs. The first official encounter took place in 1907, which was won 2-1 by Sporting.

The characteristic features of the two clubs include the Estádio da Luz of Benfica, where the iconic ritual of the release of a living eagle is practiced before the games, and the Estádio José Alvalade from Sporting with its famous songs. Historically speaking, Benfica has 38 championship titles and 26 cup wins, while Sporting with 21 championships and 17 trophies has an impressive story in the league. Both teams are also regularly active in European competitions, with ambitious goals and passionate fans.

Sporting Lisbon's championship victory not only proudly brings into the ranks of the club, but also affects the deep historical rivalry with Benfica, which shapes both culture and society in Lisbon and arouses timeless passion in Portuguese football.