Liga Sagres wrap: Rodrigo double sends Benfica clear

Benfica moved two points clear atop Liga Sagres after a 4-0 thrashing of Uniao de Leiria on Sunday, while Maritimo also won.

A double from Spanish forward Rodrigo Moreno guided Jorge Jesus’ Benfica to a comprehensive win against the lowly Uniao de Leiria.

Brazilian Bruno Cesar and Paraguay forward Oscar Cardozo were on the scoresheet to give Benfica a 2-0 lead after 48 minutes, before Rodrigo struck his brace to hand them a commanding win.

Cardozo’s goal sent him equal top of the scoring charts with nine.

Benfica remain undefeated at the top and are now two points clear of defending champions Porto, who drew with Sporting Lisbon on Saturday.

Meanwhile, fifth-placed Maritimo recorded a 2-1 win over Olhanense.

Tunisian attacker Selim Benachour and Brazilian striker Danilo Dias put the hosts ahead at Estadio dos Barreiros, and they collected three points despite Rui Duarte’s penalty in first-half additional time.

A 53rd-minute goal from rumoured Bolton target Marcelo Toscano ensured Vitoria Guimaraes took a 1-0 victory at home to Feirense.

Strugglers Pacos de Ferreira lost again, suffering a 1-0 defeat at Rio Ave after Joao Tomas’ 33rd-minute penalty.

Rio Ave’s Tarantini and Pacos de Ferreira defender Anthony da Silva were sent off as Henrique Calisto’s bottom-placed side fell to a ninth loss in 11 games.

Nacional moved out of the relegation zone courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 defeat of Gil Vicente.

Danielson, Mario Rondon and Dejan Skolnik were on the scoresheet, while Rodrigo Galo was red-carded after coming on for Gil Vicente.