Sporting, Benfica win in Portugal
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Sporting's Barbosa vies with Braga's Paulo Sergio (right) and Nene.
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LISBON, Portugal -- Sporting Lisbon climbed to second place in the Portuguese league with a 2-0 win over Braga on Monday.
Benfica also won 2-0, against Rio Ave, to move up to third, one point behind Sporting.
But defending champions Porto remain seven points clear at the top following their 4-1 win over Gil Vicente on Sunday.
Joao Pinto struck first for Sporting with a header from a corner on 30 minutes.
Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback wasted a penalty, shooting against the bar, but his countryman Elpidio Silva doubled Sporting's lead on 61 minutes, heading home a cross from Miguel Garcia.
Sporting coach Fernando Santos was pleased with his side's performance following their 3-0 loss to Genclerbirligi of Turkey in the UEFA Cup last week.
"I thought my players were going to give a good response," said Santos.
"I felt this because the game with the Turks was an abnormality given the team's progress. My players deserve congratulations. They never let their control of the game slip."
Simao Sabrosa struck his seventh goal of the season from the penalty spot to set Benfica on course to victory in a match marking one year since coach Jose Antonio Camacho took charge. Tiago Mendes was fouled in the area on 41 minutes to win the kick.
Brazilian defender Cristiano was also on target with a header on 69 minutes.
