LISBON, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Benfica hammered Rio Ave 4-0 at Luz Stadium in Portuguese capital Lisbon on Monday, edging closer to the Portuguese league title.

Rodrigo put Benfica ahead in the 17th minute, Gaitan made it 2-0 in the 29th and Cardozo scored in the 77th and 90th with two penalty shots.

Benfica set the pace at the Portuguese league with 67 points, seven ahead of Sporting Lisbon and are just two victories away from clinching the Portuguese league title with four rounds to go.

Rio Ave are in the 11th place in the Portuguese league with 31 points.

Sporting Lisbon beat Pacos Ferreira 3-1 on Saturday and managed to pull within 4 points behind Benfica.

Porto beat Academica 3-1 on Sunday to remain in the third place, eight points behind Sporting.