Freddy Adu once again was the spark off the bench in Benfica's late 2-1 victory over Marítimo.

It was the third time this year that Adu had provided a goal off the bench for the Portuguese giants, though his 87th minute strike was his first winner.

Benfica fell behind early when Oliveira Kanu fired past Quim in the eighth minute to give the visitors the lead.

Oscar Cardoza found the equalizer for Benfica just 10 minutes later, converting from the penalty spot after Ricardo Esteves brought down Rui Costa in the box.

Marítimo were awarded a penalty of their own by referee Pedro Proença when Quim brought down Kanu as the last man in on goal. Reserve keeper Hans-Jörg Butt guessed right, however, leaving the game knotted at one goal for each side.

Adu began the game on the bench and made his entrance in the 80th minute, coming on for Uruguayan midfielder Maxi Pereira.

Six minutes later, the American import gave the home side the lead when he poked home a cross from Léo. The Brazilian defender beat Wênio into the box and crossed in front of the goal, where Adu redirected for the go-ahead score.

The win put Benfica past Marítimo and into second place, five points behind league leaders Porto.

Scoring
MAR - Kanu 4 (Ricardo Esteves) 8'
BEN - Oscar Cardozo 3 (PK) 18'
BEN - Freddy Adu 1 (Léo) 87'

Line-ups
BEN - Quim; Maxi Pereira (Freddy Adu 80'), Luisão, Edcarlos (Hans-Jörg Butt 30'), Léo, Kostas Katsouranis, Gilles Binya, Angel Di Maria (Luís Filipe 46'), Rui Costa, Cristian Rodriguez, Oscar Cardozo

MAR - Marcos; Ricardo Esteves, Ediglê, Antoine van der Linden, Evaldo, Márcio Mossoró, Olberdam, Wênio, Marcinho (Djalma Campos 78'), Ariza Makukula (Briguel 81'), Kanu