1973–74 S.L. Benfica season consecutive wins and reached second place by early February, while also cutting their gap to Sporting to just one point. In March, a loss in Estádio das Antas with Porto and a draw with Beira-Mar, put Sporting with a four-point lead again. Nonetheless, Benfica beat Sporting at their own home and three weeks later, they got back to a single point difference after their rival dropped points. That gap remained unchanged until the last match-day, when Sporting won the title. In the Portuguese Cup, Benfica reached the Taça de Portugal Final after beating Porto away, but lost the competition on
1970–71 S.L. Benfica season put Sporting and Benfica level on points. Benfica closed March with an away win over Leixões, with Porto losing and dropping out of race. This left Benfica and Sporting with a three–point lead and three match-days to go. On 4 April, Benfica beat Vitória de Setúbal at home and for the first time headed the league isolated, with a two-point lead. Sporting had lost with Porto. Three weeks later, Benfica confirmed their league title with an away win over Varzim. It was their 18th league title. They finished the Primeira Divisão with a 5–1 victory over Académica, ending the campaign