Sporting wins 3-1 at Pacos to close on Benfica

Associated Press

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Sporting Lisbon won 3-1 at Pacos Ferreira on Saturday, provisionally cutting into Benfica's lead of the Portuguese league.

Midfielder William Carvalho opened for Sporting in the 15th minute and Faustino Rojo made it 2-0 in the 34th.

Tiago "Bebe" Dias pulled one back for the hosts in the 55th before Adrien Silva restored the final margin 11 minutes later with a long-range strike.

Sporting pulled to within four points of Benfica before the pacesetters host Rio Ave on Monday.

Sporting also moved 11 points clear of third-place FC Porto before the soon-to-be-dethroned champions host Academica on Sunday.