Sporting battle their way to League Cup glory with victory over Braga

Sporting 1-0 Sp. Braga

Sporting have become the Allianz League Cup champions after a sole goal from Pedro Porro tipped the balance against Sporting de Braga in a 1-0 victory, tonight.

In the intense rain, a strike from Porro in the first period, arriving late in the half, gave Sporting a hard-earned advantage going into the break.

The Lions required a great deal of huffing and puffing in the subsequent period, littered with half chances at either end before showing enough resilience to clinch back-to-back League Cup wins for boss Rubén Amorim, defeating the holders.

Portuguese bosses: Poland appoint Paulo Sousa, as Sá Pinto lands in Turkey

Former Portugal midfielder Paulo Sousa has been confirmed as the new manager of the Poland national team to take the country into the summer’s delayed European Championships.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Sá Pinto has wasted little time finding a new job after leaving Vasco da Gama, with the well-travelled coach appointed by Turkish high-flyers Gaziantep.

Cristiano Ronaldo hits 760 goals and 31 trophies: “I love this feeling”

Cristiano Ronaldo reached the much-anticipated 760-goal mark on Wednesday night as Juventus won the Italian Supercup with a 2-0 victory over Napoli at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia.

Ronaldo’s goal is regarded by some to have seen him become the all-time highest goalscorer in the history of football, but one statistic which is indisputable is the Portugal captain’s tally of 31 career trophies after his latest medal.

Jerrold Hewson — I wish somebody would just clear it up once and for all. Pele and Romario also claim over 1000 goals....

Bernardo is back: Guardiola praises “exceptional” goal as City win again

Manchester City 2-0 Aston Villa

Bernardo Silva offered further evidence that he is rediscovering his best form with the crucial goal as Manchester City finally overcame Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

The visitors held out for 79 minutes with the match goalless before the Portugal international broke the deadlock with a superb finish, setting City on their way to a sixth straight league victory.

Jerrold Hewson — I just love this guy!...

The biggest transfers of Portuguese players in football history

Football is the world’s most popular sport, and Portugal is no exception. Its domestic league features fierce rivalries and prestigious clubs that have prospered in European competition, and its national team has increasingly made itself an elite performer on the world stage.

It is no surprise, therefore, that Portugal has produced some of the best players on the planet who play for the leading clubs in Italy, England, and Spain. Add in the fact that Jorge Mendes is the most powerful agent in the world and most of his clients are, like him, Portuguese, and the ingredients are in place for some of the biggest (and in some cases most controversial) transfers of footballers over recent years.

PortuGOAL focuses on three astronomical transfers of Portuguese players that made headlines all over the world.

Merciless Braga dump Benfica en route to League Cup final

Sp. Braga 2-1 Benfica

Sporting de Braga have eliminated Benfica to secure back-to-back Allianz League Cup final appearances, following Sporting into Saturday’s showdown with a 2-1 victory in Leiria, tonight.

The Arsenalistas took advantage of a weakened Benfica backline to take the lead midway through the first half through Abel Ruiz in the 27th minute, despite encouraging play from the Eagles.

Pizzi levelled things for Benfica from the penalty spot before the break but Braga were again on hand to peg the Lisbon outfit back, regaining advantage in the 58th minute and seeing out the semi-final with a 2-1 victory.

Braga 2-1 Benfica match report and video highlights

Joao — Just like Porto vs Sporting, this game could have gone either way, Braga are a funny team, you don't know which Braga will turn up, I think the problem Braga have is killing teams, they play really well and can beat any of the top three. Definitely more worried about Braga in the final then if it w......

Teresa — Hey -Z-, still unsure if Braga is suited to be the rightful 4th contender for the league?...

Portuguese boss Pacheco riding high in Egypt with Zamalek

Jaime Pacheco’s Zamalek are the early pace-setters in the Egyptian Premier League, with five straight wins taking the club to the top of the standings after seven matches played.

Tuesday’s 1-0 win against El Gouna gives Zamalek a two-point lead over eternal rivals and defending champions Al Ahly, who won the Egyptian title by a remarkable 21 points last season.

Late Jovane double topples Porto in dramatic League Cup semi-final

Sporting 2-1 FC Porto

Sporting are through to the Allianz League Cup final after a late Jovane Cabral double turned an imminent elimination at the hands of FC Porto into a 2-1 victory, this Tuesday.

The two rivals endured a cagey affair until the 80th minute, where the Dragons edged ahead courtesy of a Moussa Marega strike past Antonio Adan.

Jovane, fresh from the bench, provided the Lions with a clutch moment just six minutes later with the equaliser before the forward’s 94th-minute finish, on the stroke of full time, turned the tie on its head.

Sporting 2-1 FC Porto match report and video highlights

—Z— — Great game by both sides. They both went for it when played quick football . Both had chances to score. Pedro Gonçalves was amazing. Jovane , if he is back in form, could be the reforco sporting needs. He was one of the best players in the league last season. If this game is an indication to come,......

Portuguese midfielder Fábio Martins celebrates monthly award with golaço in Saudi Arabia [video]

Fábio Martins is enjoying a fine start to life in Saudi Arabian football with Al Shabab, following his summer move from Sporting Braga.

The attacking midfielder headed to the Middle East on loan in September, having impressed last season with Famalicão, and since landing in the Saudi capital Riyadh Martins has already been recognised with an individual award.

PortuGOAL Figure of the Week: Salvador Agra becomes Tondela's saviour in beating Boavista

Round 14 of the Liga NOS season was notable for it featuring the campaign’s first domestic “Clássico” between Porto and Benfica, the pair unable to be separated in a 1-1 draw at Estádio do Dragão, in doing so failing to capitalise on league leaders Sporting dropping points against Rio Ave.

Paços Ferreira continued their superb season with an impressive triumph over Braga, whilst there were vital victories for struggling sides Portimonense and Famalicão, overcoming Belenenses SAD and Santa Clara respectively.

Another team at the wrong end of the table to gain a significant boost was Tondela as they faced another struggler in Boavista. The star of the show was PortuGOAL Figure of the Week Salvador Agra, who was in top form to score twice in an impressive display.