1985–86 S.L. Benfica season lapped the first round of the league in first place, after recovering five points since September. After an event-less January, in which Benfica retained their one-point lead over Sporting; in February, Benfica faced Porto again, this time for the round of 16 of the Taça de Portugal, winning 2–1. Meanwhile, in the Primeira Divisão, they added another point in their lead over their closest competitors. In March, Benfica was eliminated of the Cup Winners' Cup by Dukla Prague, while in the Portuguese Cup, they thrashed Sporting by 5–0 in the quarter-finals. They finished the month with a replay of the
1974–75 S.L. Benfica season first but drew the others. First with Sporting on the 22, for the Derby de Lisboa, and then on the 29, with União de Tomar. Benfica lapped the first half of the season in second place with three points less than leaders Porto. In January, Benfica won their opening match, while Porto lost theirs, reducing the gap between them to a point. Two weeks later, Benfica defeated Olhanense on the road and Porto lost in Alvalade, with the teams exchanging places. Benfica now led by a point over Porto. In the last match of the month, Benfica defeated Leixões at