It was not a vintage performance but Porto maintained their impeccable start to the defence of their Liga Portugal crown by winning their ninth straight game in the 2026/27 season.
It is the first time in 87 years that the Blue and Whites have won the first 9 games of a league season.
In a game of few chances, it was Borja Sainz who scored the all-important goal just after the hour mark, dispatching a firm low shot into the corner of the net after latching onto a Victor Froholdt cross.
Sainz was only in the starting lineup because Polish winger Oskar Pietuszewski got injured in the warmup.
Porto’s defence had been unusually porous in recent games, conceding goals in each of their last seven matches, but tonight it was back to its rock-solid self. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa did not have a difficult save to make all match.
The visitors’ task of defending their lead was made easier when Gil were reduced to 10 men in the 83rd minute when Marvin Elimbi was sent off for a foul on Pepê.
Porto go 8 points clear of second-placed Benfica and move 9 ahead of Sporting in third, with the Lisbon duo playing later this weekend.
Gil Vicente 0-1 Porto highlights
Highlights to follow
