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 Rui Rodrigues and Zeca. After a lengthy pre-season, Benfica started their campaign with two victories against Belenenses and Farense. They dropped points in the third week, before winning the following two matches, reaching first place. In October, they drew with Boavista and lost at home to Porto, falling to third place. Four consecutive wins followed, until three draws in December cost them first place. Benfica lapped the first part of the season with a three-point deficit to Porto, but managed recover that in January. A draw in early February, with Académica de Coimbra stopped them, but the team reacted with