In what was theoretically their toughest match in the title run-in, Porto showed their mettle by coming from behind to beat Braga and keep their comfortable 7-point buffer at the top of the table.
Both Sporting and Benfica had dropped points at the Quarry, and when Rodrigo Zalazar put the hosts in front from the penalty spot in the 54th minute, Porto appeared in grave danger of losing only their second Primeira Liga match all season.
Italian coach Francesco Farioli was quick to react, first bringing on Terem Moffi and William Gomes for Deniz Gül and Pepê, then beefing up his midfield by bringing on Pablo Rosário and Seko Fofana for Gabri Veiga and Alan Varela. The extra muscle in the middle of the pitch and the energy added by the quartet of substitutes made the difference.
In the 69th minute Jakub Kiwior released his young Polish compatriot Oskar Pietuszewski, who got the better of Gabri Martínez, surged into the box and crossed low for Gomes to score.
Ten minutes later and the comeback was complete. From a corner the ball was flicked on by Froholdt to Fofana, who rifled a shot through traffic and into the net.
Braga kept playing their football and Carlos Vicens emptied the bench in an attempt to get into the game but Porto never looked like relinquishing their lead.
With seven matches remaining, Porto are well placed to win their first championship in four years.
Porto coach Francesco Farioli:
“We are the only team who have beaten Braga twice and that says a lot about our performance because they play really good football.
“We did not deserve to be losing 1-0 but the reaction was very positive. There was a lot of character and intensity shown, and the players who came on helped change the game.
“We deserve this result for the effort we put in. I don’t like to celebrate too much, but tonight the players deserve to celebrate because it was a very important victory.”
