In recent years Madeira has not been a happy hunting ground for the ‘big three’ and so it was to prove for Sporting who knew they had to win against Marítimo.
Despite a positive start from the Lisbon outfit, the hosts began to make progress down the wings and but for a crucial block by Rodrigo Battaglia in the eighteenth minute Gamboa would have given the islanders the lead.
Thirteen minutes later and Marítimo opened their account through Diederrick Joel when the Cameroonian popped up at the near-post to glance a header past Rui Patrício.
Sporting soon responded as Gelson Martins fed Bas Dost at the back-post for a classic one-touch finish from the Dutchman, taking both clubs into half-time level.
Sporting strived to penetrate a resolute home defence but to no avail. Worse was to come in the second minute of stoppage time when a goalkeeping error by Patrício, so often the saviour at the back, allowed Gevorg Ghazaryan’s weak shot to find the back of the net and in the process dump Sporting out of Champions League contention.
Benfica, who only weeks earlier had looked set to lift the Primeira Liga title, struggled to overcome a Moreirense side who needed points to assure their survival in the top flight. The Eagles had opportunities with Alejandro Grimaldo, Pizzi and Jonas all going close in the opening twenty minutes.
Five minutes after the break Benfica got the all - important goal as Grimaldo’s cross hit Alfa Semedo’s arm and, after consulting the VAR, referee Fábio Veríssimo duly awarded a penalty. Jonas stepped up to the spot and slotted home his thirty-fourth league goal of the season.
Benfica therefore finished second, seven points behind FC Porto with Sporting ending up third, three points ahead of fourth place SC Braga who lost 1-0 at Rio Ave. Porto finished their campaign with a 1-0 at Guimarães thanks to a seventieth minute goal by Ivan Marcano.
A very happy Dragons boss Sérgio Conceição was able to end the season with a club record points haul of eighty-eight, equalling the league record accumulated by Benfica two years ago. Portimonense put an end to any hope Paços de Ferreira had of avoiding the drop to the Segunda Liga when Pires slotted home a brace of goals for the home side. Micael pulled a goal back for P.Ferreira two minutes from time but Wellington Carvalho’s strike in stoppage time ensured the Portimão side ran out 3-1 winners. Feirense battled against Estoril knowing that a point would ensure safety and send their opponents down. A hard fought 0-0 draw resulted in Estoril being relegated after six seasons in the top flight. Promoted from the Segunda Liga are CD Nacional (Madeira), after just one season in the second tier, and Santa Clara (Azores) who return to the Primeira Liga after a fifteen-year absence.