Porto beat Benfica 3-1 in the classic with a Gabri Veiga goal and Samu's return

Porto won the Portuguese classic against Benfica 3-1 on Sunday in the seventh round of the Primeira Liga. At Do Dragão, Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga stood out with a goal and Samu Aghehowa returned to action seven months after suffering a serious knee injury. The win strengthens the champions' grip on top spot.

• Gabri Veiga scored the 1-0 in the 31st minute after a long ball from Pepê.
• Clément Lenglet was sent off for a second yellow card after hitting André Silva in the face.
• Alexander Bah equalized for Benfica in the 51st minute, but Porto responded three minutes later.
• In-beom Hwang scored the 3-1 on his 30th birthday and opened his account for Porto.
• Samu Aghehowa made his comeback in the 85th minute after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Gabri Veiga puts Porto ahead in the first half

The classic started with intensity and a fairly even balance of play, although Benfica created the first clear chance. Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni connected with a header that went over Diogo Costa's crossbar. The Eagles enjoyed a strong spell before the Dragons began to respond.

In the 31st minute, Porto opened the scoring. Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga received a long pass from Pepê, controlled the ball with one touch and beat goalkeeper Samuel Soares to make it 1-0. The move rewarded Veiga's intelligent movement, as he arrived in the box with enough composure to finish.

Lenglet's red card leaves Benfica with ten men

Shortly after the goal, the match tilted even further in the home side's favor. Clément Lenglet, the former FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid center-back, received a second yellow card for hitting former Sevilla player André Silva in the face. The French defender left Benfica a man down before halftime.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Benfica refused to give in. In the 51st minute, Alexander Bah headed in a well-delivered cross from Prestianni to beat Diogo Costa and level the score. The Danish full-back kept Lisbon hopes alive for only a few minutes.

Froholdt and Hwang secure the win for leaders Porto

The visitors' joy was short-lived. Three minutes after the 1-1, Pablo Rosario played a through ball into the box, André Silva laid it off first time and Danish forward Victor Froholdt fired a powerful shot into the net. The 2-1 restored Porto's control and forced Benfica to take even more risks.

The champions exploited the space and extended their lead with a third goal. In-beom Hwang, who was celebrating his 30th birthday, finished first time from another André Silva assist and opened his scoring account for Porto. The South Korean made it 3-1 and left the classic all but settled.

Samu Aghehowa returns after seven months out

The most emotional moment of the afternoon came in the 85th minute. The Do Dragão crowd rose to its feet to welcome back Samu Aghehowa, who was returning to competitive action seven months after his injury. The 22-year-old Spanish international, Porto's top scorer in recent seasons, suffered a sprained right knee with an anterior cruciate ligament injury on 9 February.

That setback ruled him out for the rest of the previous season and also kept him out of the 2026 World Cup. His return brings a key piece back to Porto's attack, giving the champions a difference-making striker as they look to defend their title and face the challenges ahead.

How the Primeira Liga table looks after the classic

The result strengthens Porto's position at the top of the standings. The Dragons have 21 points from eight matches, five more than Benfica and six more than Sporting, who sit second and third respectively. The gap gives the champions some breathing room at the start of a nearly flawless league campaign.

Samu Aghehowa's return in the 85th minute drew a standing ovation from Do Dragão, as fans saw their top scorer back on the pitch after seven months away.

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