PortuGOAL Figure of the Week: Rochinha rocket sets up Vitória victory

“O Clássico” was the highlight on paper of Week 21 of Liga NOS, although Porto and Sporting’s encounter proved a tense 0-0 to leave the Lions in the title race driving seat. Benfica and Braga made up some ground on the pair by beating Rio Ave and Nacional respectively.

Paços Ferreira’s unbeaten run came to an end as Santa Clara swept them aside in front of an Azores crowd of spectators, while Tondela secured an important victory over Gil Vicente to climb into the top half of the table.

One team that has been stuttering of late is Vitória Guimarães but they got back on the winning trail against Boavista this weekend, they were inspired by PortuGOAL Figure of the Week Rochinha, who stepped in for the injured Ricardo Quaresma to decisive effect.

Val — One of the only clubs worth watching outside of top 4 in Portugal. Vitoria has been stuttering not in small part due to the conservative (scared) tactics of Joao Henriques. It could not have been easy to step in when Tiago up and quit on them but Henriques makes baffling substitutions. Down 2-1 a......

“He never took free-kicks in training” – Portugal’s Semedo on playing with Messi, Barcelona departure

Nélson Semedo has been reflecting on an eventful last year, having made the switch from Barcelona to the English Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers in September.

The former Benfica man has been an ever-present in the league since his arrival at Molineux, starting all 23 matches for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side in England’s top flight. As he closes on six months in his new home, Semedo spoke to The Telegraph about the nature of his departure from Camp Nou after months of speculation.

Braga move into second before Benfica recapture winning form

Sporting de Braga have risen up to second place after beating Nacional 2-1 in the wake of FC Porto’s 0-0 draw with Sporting, over the weekend.

The Arsenalistas registered three potentially crucial points away at the Choupana with first-half goals from Fransérgio and Abel Ruiz, in a lead that was later halved by a Brayan Riascos finish.

As Braga moved up the table, and with Paços de Ferreira also losing, Benfica cut the gap between them and Porto back down to three points after defeating Rio Ave 2-0 at home on Monday night. PortuGOAL has more on the rest of this weekend’s action.

Portuguese Abroad goals round-up: Ronaldo, Dias, Fonte, Quina, Félix, Neves lead the way as 20+ goals scored by Portugal’s foreign contingent

Another hugely prolific weekend for Portuguese players based abroad saw some of the Seleção’s key goal threats on target as Cristiano Ronaldo, André Silva and João Félix all found the net in Italy, Germany and Spain respectively.

Meanwhile, Rúben Dias registered his first goal for Manchester City and Ruben Neves earned Wolverhampton Wanderers a point with a rare headed goal, while Domingos Quina hit another Golaço in La Liga and José Fonte saved Ligue 1 leaders Lille from defeat in France.

Portuguese also hit the back of the net in Poland, Turkey, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Saudi Arabia and Luxembourg.

SPAIN: João Félix takes the headlines with goal and fiery celebration [video]

Villarreal 0-2 Atletico Madrid

João Félix came off the bench to score the clinching goal as La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid got back to winning ways on Sunday evening.

Félix was dropped to the bench by coach Diego Simeone having scored just one goal in his previous fourteen matches, with the Portugal forward struggling to find form since returning from a brief absence with covid-19.

Sporting hold tight in 0-0 Porto draw to remain ten clear at the top

FC Porto 0-0 Sporting

Sporting have protected their ten-point advantage at the top of the Primeira Liga after drawing 0-0 at the Estádio do Dragão with second-placed FC Porto, this Saturday.

The Dragons were hopeful of handing the league leaders their first defeat of the campaign and cutting the Lions’ advantage down to seven points, in their bid to open the title race back up.

Two good opportunities for Mehdi Taremi moved Porto closer to their aims on the night but failed to fully force through a resilient Sporting outfit, holding onto a crucial 0-0 draw away from home.

—Z— — It was not a great game at all But Sporting got a favourable Result. Taremi missed a great chance to score but so did Matheus Nunes for Sporting. A draw was fair. Palhinha was a monster once again. He definitely is ready to play for the national team. Sebastian Coates yet again with a great game.......

Andre/UK — What a pathetic, disrespectful, and frankly super ironic and contradicting comment by Sergio Oliveira at the post match interview. Firstly, why wouldn't Sporting be happy about securing a draw in a tough away fixture to stay 10 points clear of Porto on top of the table and remain odds on favourites ......

Samuel — 10 more wins...

GERMANY: Unstoppable André Silva back with a goal [video]

Werder Bremen 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt

André Silva returned to action for Eintracht Frankfurt after a recent injury and the Portugal striker marked his return with another goal as his side saw their run of good form ended by Werder Bremen.

Silva, who missed last weekend’s win over Bayern Munich with a minor back problem, was restored to Adi Hutter’s side for the trip to Bremen and put the visitors ahead in under ten minutes with a beautifully dispatched header.

Manchester City’s irrepressible Portugeezers

Last season raised uncomfortable questions of Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. After reaching the loftiest of heights in England in terms of the aesthetic beauty of their football and unprecedented points totals, it seemed the sky blue orchestra and their Spanish maestro had slipped into decline. Rivals Liverpool romped to the title leaving City a massive 18 points in their wake.

One year on, and the narrative has flipped completely. Guardiola has again concocted a frighteningly good Manchester City team. With one difference compared to past versions. This particular vintage is fuelled by a trio of Portuguese footballers seemingly playing the match of their lives… every week.

Master wordsmith Simon Curtis is a journalist who happens to be a Manchester City expert and a long-time resident in Portugal. The perfect person, therefore, to explain exactly how Bernardo Silva, João Cancelo and Rúben Dias have turned City into very probably the best football team in the world right now.

Back to the Future

“Total Football” turns Portuguese

In less than four months, Portugal defend a major tournament crown for the very first time at this summer’s better-late-than-never Euro 2020. Notwithstanding its recent failed UEFA Nations League bid, a lesser-celebrated yet fascinating competition, Portugal’s emergence into unfamiliar territory carries an inherent psychological price tag never before encountered.

External and internal pressure the likes of which only those who have ever worn the grandeur of the name “Champion” will ever know.

--Z-- — I actually am beginning to think a 3-5-2 system could be great for A Seleccao. 3-4-3 probably wouldnt work as well. ----------------------------------Patricio--------------------------------- ------------------Dias-----------Fonte----------Pepe------------------- -----Cancelo-------------Palhinha-......

Greg — Great article. This year, for the first time I can remember, I felt the Selecção starting XI fielded on the pitch was solid and secure at practically every position. A major change has been the quality and reliability of the fullbacks and their evolution into dangerous wingbacks. Starting with F......

Val — This is fantastic but Cancelo's role isnt new to world football. People forget about the legend Roberto Carlos, also deployed as a "rover" like Cancelo. Roberto Carlos was all over the place, his talent was off the charts so he could do this. Go watch old Roberto Carlos vids and tell me he isnt t......

Europa League: Benfica and Braga eliminated in the Round of 32

There is only one Portuguese team remaining in Europe after Benfica and Braga were knocked out of the UEFA Europa League this evening.

Benfica went down 3-2 to Arsenal in Greece after blowing a 2-1 lead. The Eagles lost 4-3 on aggregate. Braga were defeated 3-1 against Roma in Italy after a 2-0 loss at home in the first leg.

Nunogomes21 — Unfortunate for Braga, was always going to be difficult though. Arsenal didn’t look good, still good enough to put three by Benfica though. Sick of JJ and his inability to get something going. Please leave and take LFV with you. Have your romance elsewhere where Benfica aren’t getting thrown to......

Val — JJ should be a politician, his ability to blame invisible enemies like Covid for Benficas poor form is amazing. Of course only Benfica suffered from Covid, not the entire planet, every league and team. Nope, in JJ mind only Benfica. He has always been a clown, its amazing the support he received fo......

Danny — JJ's countdown begins. Tick, tick, tick....