A late Sebastián Coates own goal continued Famalicão’s dream start to the season as the promoted side secured a comeback win to stay top of Liga NOS, winning 2-1 away at Sporting, who drop to 7th.
Porto and Benfica had previously overtaken Famalicao with victories of their own, the former comfortably defeating Santa Clara while the latter left it very late to nick a win away at Moreirense.
Elsewhere Braga’s domestic woes continued as a 2-2 home draw with Marítimo keeps them just 1 place above the relegation zone after 6 league matches.
Moreirense 1-2 Benfica
Facing Benfica off the back of their midweek defeat in the Champions League possibly indicated a good time to face the Eagles for Moreirense, although the defending champions gave as good as they got in the first half, going close through chances for Pizzi and Álex Grimaldo. Bilel fired narrowly over the bar for the hosts in response, while Luther Singh tested Odysseas in goal late in the half.
The game was scoreless at the break but this all changed early in the second half as this time Luther was able to beat Odysseas, latching onto Alex Soares’ flick-on to fire into the far corner. Moreirense remained stoic in the face of Benfica’s response, which was actually quite lacklustre until the 85th minute. Rafa Silva reacted well at the far post to guide a deflected Rúben Dias cross past Mateus Pasinato for the equaliser. Benfica then broke the host’s hearts with the winner in stoppage time, Haris Seferović heading Jota’s cross into the net for a vital 3 points.
Porto 2-0 Santa Clara
After their midweek win in the Europa League Porto were back at Estádio Dragão, looking to maintain what has been a good run of form since their struggles at the very beginning of the campaign. They started fast with Santa Clara keeper Marco Pereira called into action to deny Luís Diaz, Danilo and Zé Luís inside the first 12 minutes, but he was powerless to deny the latter pair combining to break the deadlock three minutes later. Zé Luís heading home from Danilo’s cross to give the home side a deserved lead.
Just before half time the lead was doubled. Jesús Corona’s free kick was clumsily diverted into his own net by César for 2-0. Porto threatened to add to their tally in the second half but Zé Luís, Danilo and Nakajima all saw chances go begging, but ultimately a satisfactory evening for Sérgio Conceição’s side.
Braga 2-2 Marítimo
Hosts Braga have done well in Europe this season but domestically have struggled considerably, and it looked like Marítimo sensed a chance for an upset at The Quarry. Getterson almost put them in the lead in the 13th minute but his lobbed effort was too high, but the away side did strike first 18 minutes later as Daizen Maeda won and scored a penalty.
Early in the second half Braga had their own chance from the spot after Ricardo Horta was felled by Zainadine Júnior, but Paulinho was denied by Amir Abedzadeh. Minutes later however, Paulinho made amends by firing in the equaliser off Rúben Ferreira.
Braga kept up the pressure but were caught cold by Marítimo as they retook the lead through Franck-Yves Bambock, nodding in after Matheus had misjudged the flight of a free-kick. They really should have extended their lead thereafter as Edgar Costa blazed over with the goal gaping, and they were made to pay as Braga made it 2-2 through Paulinho’s header.
Marítimo finished the game with 10 men after Renê Santos was dismissed but Braga could not find a way through and had to settle for a point.
Sporting 1-2 Famalicão
The two clubs entered the match with completely contrasting atmospheres with Sporting in disarray but Famalicao riding the crest of the wave. However it was the hosts who started sharpest at Estádio José Alvalade as Famalicão looked a little nervy. Indeed it would be a big defensive error that would lead to Sporting’s opener, Lionn gifting the ball to Luciano Vietto, who still had plenty to do, but the Argentine sent a stunning shot in off the crossbar past Defendi.
Famalicão came out fighting for the second half though with a vastly improved performance, and they deservedly levelled the scores when Rúben Lameiras showed quick feet to make space for a powerful low shot that Renan Ribeiro couldn’t keep out. The promoted side then had a flurry of chances to go in front but could not take them.
Sporting thought they had a penalty when substitute Jovane Cabral was felled by Defendi before the offside flag went up, and Jesé also had a decent chance to score, but it was Famalicao who secured all 3 points with minutes remaining. Sebastián Coates’ woes continued as he scored an own goal for the second game running, in almost identical fashion to that against PSV Eindhoven on Thursday, diverting Diogo Gonçalves’ cross past the helpless Ribeiro.
By Jamie Farr
Matchday 6
Paços Ferreira 2-1 Desportivo Aves
Belenenses 0-2 Rio Ave
Moreirense 1-2 Benfica
Gil Vicente 0-0 Boavista
Tondela 1-3 Vitória Guimarães
Vitória Setúbal 0-0 Portimonense
Porto 2-0 Santa Clara
Braga 2-2 Marítimo
Sporting 1-2 Famalicão
