Posted: Saturday May 23, 2009 6:37PM; Updated: Saturday May 23, 2009 6:37PM

Portugal: Trofense, Belenenses relegated after losses

LISBON, Portugal (AP) -- Trofense and Belenenses were relegated from the Portuguese league after suffering defeats in final-round games on Saturday.

Last-place Trofense lost 1-0 at Pacos Ferreira, while No. 15 Belenenses went down 3-1 at Benfica for results which allowed the other two relegation-threatened teams, Rio Ave and Setubal, to survive.

Trofense, promoted last season, saw its hopes of avoiding a swift return to the second division thwarted when William scored in the 75th minute for Pacos Ferreira.

Belenenses ended an 11-year stay in the topflight despite a third-minute goal at Benfica by its captain Silas. The home team then replied through goals by Oscar Cardozo in the 21st, Filipe Bastos in the 63rd and substitute Pedro Mantorras in injury time.

Rio Ave escaped losing its first-division place after one season with a 2-1 win over Amadora, while Setubal drew 2-2 at Naval.

Trofense and Belenenses will be replaced in next season's league by second-division champion Olhanense and either Santa Clara or Leiria.

In other games, sixth-place Leixoes edged Maritimo 1-0, while Guimaraes downed Academica 3-2.

The top places were already decided before this weekend with Porto winning the title for the fourth straight season and Sporting Gijon finishing runner-up.

Porto gained a direct place in next season's Champions League, and Sporting entered the second qualifying round of Europe's top club competition.

Benfica, Nacional and Braga will compete in the Europa League after finishing third, fourth and fifth respectively. Pacos de Ferreira also qualified for UEFA's new competition after reaching the Cup final in which it faces Porto next weekend.

Porto has 69 points, six more than Sporting. Benfica follows with 59, Nacional 52 and Braga 49.

Porto hosts Braga, while Nacional visits Sporting in their last games of the season on Sunday.