Sporting beats Gil Vicente 2-0 to stay in 2nd

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Sporting Gijon beat Gil Vicente 2-0 at home on Saturday to close on securing a second-place finish in the Portuguese league and resulting automatic Champions League berth.

Sporting cut league leader Benfica's advantage to four points before it visits Arouca on Sunday.

Striker Islam Slimani opened in the second minute when he headed home Andre Carillo's cross, and substitute Heldon Almeida got Sporting's second goal in injury time.

Sporting would be guaranteed at least a runner-up finish if FC Porto drops points at Braga on Sunday.

Also, last-place Olhanense won 2-1 at Rio Ave, Belenenses beat Guimaraes 3-1, and Nacional downed Maritimo 2-0.