Tondela held out for an hour at the Estádio da Luz but once the in-form Pizzi made the breakthrough, the floodgates opened.
The attacking midfielder added a second with another clinical finish to bring his total of goals scored to eleven in thirty-one games in all competitions this season.
Rafa Silva, signed from SC Braga last September in a deal totalling €16.4m, scored his first goal for Benfica before Jonas completed the rout in stoppage time from the penalty spot. FC Porto had a scare at the Estádio do Dragão, with Rio Ave coming from behind to take the lead early in the second-half.
However, the brilliant crosses of Alex Telles saw Porto win 4-2 with all their goals - Felipe (16’), Marcano (55’), Danilo (62’) and Rui Pedro (89’) - coming from headers. The Brazilian winger, signed from Galatasaray last summer, was credited with three assists.
Sporting have now dropped seven points in their last four games after the 2-2 draw against Marítimo.
The Lions twice came from behind and were left complaining about the referee again as a late Alan Ruiz goal was disallowed, being incorrectly ruled offside.
Liverpool’s Serbia international Lazar Markovic has joined Hull City on loan for the remainder of the season. The 22-year-old, who signed from Benfica for €23.2m in 2014, agreed a loan with Sporting Lisbon for this season but it was cancelled by mutual consent. Hull’s new Portuguese manager Marco Silva managed Estoril during Markovic’s one season with Benfica.
In the Minho derby, Vitória de Guimarães won at SC Braga for the first time since 2002 and in the process ruined ‘Os Arsenalistas’ unbeaten home record.
Vitoria de Guimarães, who have won seven of their ten away games but have only recorded three victories at home, were two goals to the good after only sixteen minutes. Braga pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time through Serbian international Nikola Stojiljkovic. Benfica top the Primeira Liga on forty-five points, four ahead of FC Porto while SC Braga are nine points off top spot in third place. Sporting are in fourth on thirty-five, just a point ahead of Vitória de Guimarães.