Soccer-Academica clinch a historic 3-0 win at Benfica ground

LISBON, April 11 (Reuters) - Benfica suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Academica on Friday, the first time the Portuguese league strugglers had won there for 54 years.

Porto, who clinched their third league title in a row earlier this week with an unassailable 18-point lead, visit Setubal on Saturday. Benfica and Vitoria Guimaraes, who host Boavista also on Saturday, share second spot with 45 points each. The bad night for Benfica started after four minutes when a mistake from Brazilian defender Luisao allowed midfielder Miguel Pedro to put Academica in front.

The Coimbra side doubled the lead when Austrian defender Markus Berger headed home a free kick after 32 minutes.

Argentine Winger Angel Di Maria hit the post for a rare Benfica chance three minutes from the break.

Uruguayan striker Luis Aguiar completed the deserved Academica victory with the third goal after 66 minutes. (Reporting by carlos Pontes; editing by Clare Lovell)

(Clare.lovell@reuters.com +442075427933; RM: clare.lovell.reuters.com@reuters.net; For the latest Reuters Premier League and international football news see: football.uk.reuters.com)).

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