O Clássico

Lore & Background

The rivalry comes about as Lisbon and Porto are the two largest cities in Portugal, and both clubs are the most decorated football teams in Portugal. The first match between the Águias and the Dragões was an exhibition game that was played on the 28 April 1912, when Benfica defeated Porto 8–2. Eight years later, Porto would win their first Clássico, 3–2. Porto would have to wait another nine years to accumulate their second victory over Benfica. Prior to the establishment of the Primeira Liga in 1934, both Benfica and Porto were competing within their football league district. Both sides were also competing in the Campeonato de Portugal which later became in 1938 the Taça de Portugal. Until 1934, Benfica would win the Campeonato de Lisboa nine times as well as triumphing in the Taça de Honra de Lisboa twice, while Porto would win the Campeonato do Porto nineteen times as well as claiming the Taça de Honra do Porto twice. Benfica would meet Porto for the first time in an official match in the domestic cup competition which during the early periods of Portuguese football was the Campeonato de Portugal. Benfica defeated Porto in the final of the 1931 Campeonato de Portugal, 3–0 at the Campo do Arnado in Coimbra. Two goals from Vítor Silva and one from Augusto Dinis sealed the win to claim Benfica's second Campeonato de Portugal. The inception of the Primeira Liga saw Porto win the very first edition of the competition. Both sides met for the first time in the competition on 3 February 1935, on which Porto won 2–1. Benfica would win the return tie 3–0. Despite Benfica's win, the Águias would finish third in the league, three points behind Porto. The next five seasons would see Benfica win three titles to Porto's two. During the 1940s, both sides would take a back seat to Sporting CP, which would win five league titles in the decade. The late 1950s and 1960s saw Benfica dominate not just Portuguese football but also European football. The arrival of Eusébio saw Benfica secure eight league titles in ten years. Benfica's league titles were joined by two consecutive European Cups which were won in 1961, 3–2 against Barcelona, and in 1962, 5–3 against Real Madrid. The 1970s saw the continuation of Benfica's dominance up until the 1977–78 season, during which Porto won the league title for the first time in 19 years.

Reader's Guide

The matches listed below are only Primeira Liga matches, club name in bold indicates win. The score is given at full-time, and in the goals columns, the goalscorer and time when goal was scored is noted. Head-to-head results are provided in the full entry. Cup matches listed are only Taça de Portugal matches. League Cup matches listed are only Taça da Liga matches. Super Cup matches listed are only Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira matches. Campeonato de Portugal matches are also listed; the Campeonato de Portugal was created in 1922 and was the primary tournament in Portugal, where all teams competed from around the country. In 1938, the Campeonato de Portugal became what is now known as the Taça de Portugal. Reserve team matches between Benfica B and Porto B are included; both sides were established in the late 1990s, folded after the 2005–06 season, and were re-established in 2012 to compete in the 2012–13 Segunda Liga. The Premier League International Cup match was played on neutral ground. The all-time head-to-head results section does not include exhibition games and matches between reserve teams.

Did You Know?

• The first official meeting between Benfica and Porto was in the 1931 Campeonato de Portugal final, a 3–0 Benfica win.
• The biggest Porto home win over Benfica in an official match is 5–0, recorded in a league fixture in 2011.
• Porto's first win in the Clássico was a 3–2 result, eight years after the first exhibition match.
• Porto's second victory over Benfica came nine years after their first win.
• Players who have played for both clubs include Artur Augusto, Tavares Bastos, and Francisco Ferreira.