Benfica's unbeaten season ended in frustration as a 2-2 draw at Famalicao confirmed they would not win the Portuguese league title. The result left them eight points behind leaders Sporting, who now hold a game in hand and a better goal difference, putting Benfica at risk of finishing third. Manager Mourinho expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating, echoing club president Rui Costa's post-match outburst. Costa accused the referee of bias, claiming a wrongly awarded penalty and a non-existent corner led to Famalicao's equaliser. He stated that no external force should decide league outcomes, insisting the referee's actions undermined the integrity of the match. Portuguese media outlet A Bola reported that Benfica had dropped 12 points in 10 draws this season, having led in each of those games. Record revealed the Portuguese Association of Football Referees plans to file a formal complaint against Costa for his comments. Despite the controversy, Benfica remain unbeaten in 34 league matches under Mourinho. Reports in O Jogo indicate the club intends to offer Mourinho a new contract this week. The Portuguese manager has also been linked with Real Madrid's managerial role if Alvaro Arbeloa departs at the end of the season.
An unbeaten season rings hollow when the title slips away through dropped leads and referee disputes. Benfica's 10 draws, all from winning positions, expose a pattern of failing to close out games, not just a single officiating controversy. Mourinho staying or going hinges on a contract offer, not on whether he can fix a team that keeps gifting points away.
💡 NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
