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
1986–87 S.L. Benfica season campaign started with a Clássico with Porto, which ended with a draw. A win in match-day 2 was followed by another draw. Six consecutive wins propelled Benfica into first place isolated, with two points in hand. In the end of November, Benfica contested the Supertaça with Porto and was defeated by 4–2 at home, after a one-all draw in Antas. On the second week of December, in the Derby de Lisboa with Sporting, Benfica conceded their largest loss ever in the Primeira Divisão, losing 7–1. Fans reacted with anger towards Mortimore and ripped flags and scarfs with the club image.