Benfica play out enthralling contest with Guimarães to kickstart the Primeira Liga

In a match that had a bit of everything, Benfica survived an incredibly late scare against an impressive looking Guimarães side to claim three points in their first match of the league season.

All looked comfortable for Benfica as they looked to get their title challenge off to a strong start, with Pizzi the Eagles in front on the ten minute mark with a tidy finish after good work from Gedson.

Benfica looked to cruising to victory after Pizzi, one of the more unlikely of sources, found the back of the net a further two times to bag a very memorable first half hattrick, the first a great team goal and the second put on a plate by Grimaldo.

And it seemed that all was plain sailing for a Benfica side looking to regain the title from competitive rivals Porto.

And things could have been even better for the Lisbon side, who had the opportunity to score in the 13th minute, but Ferreyra, who only arrived at Benfica this summer from Shakhtar Donetsk, missed from the spot, while the rebound hit the post.

While the game looked all but over, Guimarães have conducted some very impressive business in the transfer market this summer, and still believed they could get something from the game.

 Indeed, Andre Andre, one of Guimarães' signings this window from reigning Primeira Liga champions Porto, gave Guimarães a lifeline with just 15 minutes to go, while he then set one up for Celis in the 81st minute to set up a very tense end for Benfiquista's across the globe.

However, the match ended 3-2 to Benfica, with the three points staying in Lisbon, a result that could prove crucial come the end of the season.