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
1974–75 S.L. Benfica season Ciudad de Sevilla and the Independence Cup in Brazil. Benfica started their league campaign with victories against Belenenses and Farense, reaching top of the table, ex aequo with Porto. On match-day 3, they dropped their first points, in a home draw with Olhanense. They reacted by winning their following two league matches, while also easily progressing in the Cup Winners' Cup. On 13 October, Benfica visited Estádio do Bessa to play Boavista and drew 0–0. That resulted in them being caught in first place by Vitória de Guimarães and Porto. A week later, Benfica lost at home with Porto by