Benfica secured a hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Alverca in the Portuguese Primeira Liga on February 9, 2026, at the Estádio da Luz. The Águias were made to work for all three points against a resilient Alverca side, with the decisive goal coming late in the match to maintain their push at the top of the league table. Benfica took an early lead, but Alverca struck back with a well-worked equalizer to stun the home crowd. The match appeared to be heading for a draw until a moment of individual brilliance from a Benfica forward broke the deadlock, securing a crucial win. The result solidified Benfica's position in the title race, while Alverca's spirited performance earned plaudits despite leaving empty-handed. Post-match, the Benfica manager praised his team's persistence, while Alverca's coach highlighted his players' disciplined defensive effort. The starting XI for Benfica featured their typical attacking lineup, while Alverca set up in a compact 5-4-1 formation to frustrate the hosts.