Slimani leads Sporting to win, Benfica stays close

LISBON, Portugal (AP) - Islam Slimani set up one goal before scoring two more to help Sporting Lisbon stay atop the Portuguese league with a 3-1 victory at Pacos Ferreira on Saturday.

The Sporting striker passed for Bruno Cesar to open the scoring before halftime and then added two more second-half goals, his second coming one minute after Bruno Moreira had given Pacos hope in the 83rd.

Benfica remained two points adrift in second place after a 3-1 win over Arouca.

Luis "Pizzi" Afonso set the defending champions on their way with a goal in the third minute.

Konstantinos Mitroglou added another goal before Jonas put the result beyond doubt in the second half.

Also, Uniao da Madeira routed Nacional 3-0 thanks to two goals by Toni Silva, while Estoril won 3-1 at Moreirense.