Benfica, led by José Mourinho, navigated the 2026 Portuguese Championship season with an extraordinary unbeaten run, securing 23 victories over 34 matches. Despite this impressive feat, their campaign was marred by an abundance of draws, which ultimately prevented them from clinching a spot in the prestigious UEFA Champions League for the following season. This outcome saw them settle for a third-place finish, a position that grants entry into the Europa League, underscoring the critical importance of converting draws into wins in competitive football leagues.
The Portuguese top flight mandates that only the top two teams qualify for the Champions League. Benfica had a fleeting opportunity to overtake Sporting for second place on the final matchday, May 16, 2026. This required both a victory in their own fixture against Estoril and a stumble from their Lisbon rivals. While Benfica successfully secured a 3-1 away win, elevating their total to 80 points, Sporting also triumphed with a 3-0 victory over Gil Vicente, pushing their tally to 82 points. This sequence of results dashed Benfica's hopes, largely due to two previous draws coinciding with Sporting's consecutive wins, which created an insurmountable points gap.
Meanwhile, Porto had already been crowned champions by the end of Matchday 32. They further solidified their dominance by defeating Santa Clara, reaching a total of 88 points. Braga, with 59 points, secured a berth in the Conference League. The fifth-placed team, Famalicão, now awaits the outcome of the Portuguese Cup final between Sporting and Torrense, as a Sporting victory would open up a Conference League qualifying spot for Famalicão.
This scenario prompts a comparison with Al-Hilal, another team experiencing an unbeaten streak. The Saudi Arabian football giant boasts an astounding record of 47 matches without a single defeat this season. Their last loss was a 2-1 defeat to Fluminense during the Club World Cup quarter-finals. Despite their formidable form, Al-Hilal also faced elimination from the Asian Champions League without suffering a loss in regular play, bowing out on penalties to Al-Sadd in a single-leg round-of-16 tie.
Al-Hilal has already clinched the Saudi King's Cup and remains in fierce contention for the Saudi Pro League title. Cristiano Ronaldo’s team currently leads with 83 points, holding their destiny in their own hands. Al-Hilal trails closely with 81 points, needing a victory against Al-Fayha and hoping that Al-Nassr falters at home against Damac, a team battling relegation. Should both teams finish with 84 points, Simone Inzaghi’s squad would claim the title due to their superior head-to-head record, which serves as the primary tie-breaker in the league.
The experiences of both Benfica and Al-Hilal vividly illustrate that an undefeated season, while remarkable, does not automatically guarantee the most coveted titles or top-tier international competition berths. The accumulation of draws can be as detrimental as losses in competitive league structures, highlighting the fine margins that define success in professional football.
