Benfica beats promoted Feirense 3-1 in Portugal

Benfica beats promoted Feirense 3-1 in Portugal

Published Aug. 20, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

Benfica claimed its first victory of the young Portuguese league season with a 3-1 win over promoted Feirense on Saturday.

Former Barcelona B-teamer Manuel ''Nolito'' Agudo scored his fifth goal in as many games with Benfica's 14th-minute opener.

Tiago ''Rabiola'' Coelho drew the visitors level in the 53rd, only to see defender Maxi Pereira set up Oscar Cardozo to put Benfica ahead for good in the 75th.

Substitute Bruno Cesar capped Benfica's first win of the two-week-old season in injury time.

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''It was an important and fair victory,'' said Pereira. ''We had to win to earn the three points and keep our morale high.''

Benfica hosts Twente on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League playoff, after a 2-2 draw in Holland.

On Friday, Hulk scored twice to rally FC Porto to a 3-1 comeback win over promoted Gil Vicente in the defending champion's first game since the exit of Colombia forward Radamel Falcao to Atletico Madrid.

On Sunday, it's: Academica vs. Rio Ave, Pacos Ferreira vs. Leiria, Beira Mar vs. Sporting, and Braga vs. Maritimo.

Olhanense hosts Setubal on Monday, while Nacional plays Guimaraes on Sept. 4.

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