Benfica's Title Hopes Dented Amid Refereeing Storm

Benfica dropped what could be crucial points in the 2024–25 Primeira Liga title race as they were held to a 2–2 draw at home by mid-table side Arouca, with Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin conceding twice in a heated encounter that has since sparked national outrage.

What followed was even more dramatic than the match itself. Benfica released an official statement on their club website condemning the match officials, accusing them of awarding a controversial penalty to Arouca while ignoring a clear handball in Sporting CP’s favour in a separate fixture.

“One penalty invented, another one ignored — but not in our favour,” the club wrote. The fiery statement has sent Portuguese football into uproar, with fans and pundits alike debating whether officiating could ultimately decide the champion this season.

Despite the dropped points, Benfica remain level with Sporting CP on 69 points after 29 matches, but trail their Lisbon rivals on goal difference. With just five games remaining, the margin for error is razor-thin, and every decision — fair or not — is now under the microscope.

Check out the live standings in the Primeira Liga table.

2024-25, Portugal - Liga Portugal

Benfica - Arouca 2:2 (0:0)
Goals: Kökçü, 60 (1:0); Yalçın G., 72 (penalty) (1:1); Pavlidis E., 79 (2:1); Weverson, 90 (2:2)

Benfica: Trubin; Fernandez Ál.; Silva A.; Otamendi; Araújo T.; Aursnes (Cabral, 90); Kökçü; Di Maria (Belotti, 76); Pavlidis E. (Barreiro L., 89); Florentino (Schjelderup, 76); Aktürkoglu (Bruma, 89)
Bench: Soares S.; Dahl; Gouveia Tiago; Amdouni
Yellow Cards: Fernandez Ál. 72

Arouca: Mantl; Fontan J.; Popovic B.; Dante Am. (Weverson, 83); Pinto Alex; Sylla Mo.; Fukui (Loum Ndiaye, 89); Santos; Trezza (Nandin, 83); Jason (Miguel Puche, 89); Yalçın G. (Mansilla, 83)
Bench: Valido; Moreira P.; Gozálbez
Yellow Cards: Santos 43; Mantl 76; Fontan J. 82