Last week's 'Estoril-gate' turned in a unique twist in the race for the Primeira Liga title. With Porto left with half a game left to play from Round 18, and Sporting up first in Matchday 19, the Lions had the chance to go four point clear at the top of the table, even if only for a couple of hour.
Against expectations, the Lions wouldn't hold onto the coveted top spot even until the end of Friday night, though, as a late Edinho penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Vitória de Setúbal and opened the door back up for Porto to rise once again to the summit of the league table.
The Dragons duly complied by defeating Tondela 1-0 before Benfica soured Sporting's weekend to a greater degree with a triumph of their own, dismantling Chaves 3-0 and moving to within a point of their city rivals. With just two points now separating the top three, PortuGOAL details the top action.
Vit. Setúbal 1-1 Sporting
Without a win in 10 league games, it's fair to say form hasn't been to Vitória de Setúbal's liking in recent times, which suited Sporting in pursuit of a compulsory victory at the Bonfim.
The favourites took some time before clicking on the night, with Bruno Fernandes striking in the 30th minute after picking his spot deep inside the hosts' box.
Sporting's 1-0 lead trickled into the second period in a game heavily dominated by set-piece opportunities, as exemplified by Sebastian Coates glancing his header just wide in the 58th minute as the visitors threatened to double their advantage.
Vitória sparked the courage to attack Jorge Jesus' side with greater vim in the latter stages, going close through João Amaral in the 73rd minute, but the hosts' new-found openness didn't come without its complications at the back, as the post denied Bruno Fernandes a brace just two minutes away from normal time.
The midfielder's effort, alongside many more scuppered counter-attacks, came back to haunt the Lions when Jeremy Mathieu's grab on Edinho inside the box handed the latter the opportunity to deliver the ultimate punishment from the spot, with the veteran making no mistake from 12 yards in the 91st minute.
FC Porto 1-0 Tondela
With the remainder of Porto's postponed game versus Estoril hanging over their heads, Sporting's draw handed the northern outfit the perfect incentive to switch on, as Tondela came to town.
Pepa's team took just 14 minutes to crumble, as Sulley Muniru conceded possession in a strictly prohibited area to allow Moussa Marega a clear run on goal, with Cláudio Ramos unable to do anything one-on-one to prevent the Malian scoring the opener.
Vincent Aboubakar nearly scored Porto's second with a header from a set-piece bouncing onto the post on the half-hour-mark, whereas Jesús Corona may have also found his name on the scoresheet had his composure not deserted him when hitting a shot straight into the keeper's grasp from inside the box.
The second half saw Felipe line up next for his try at goal, firing high in the process, but Brahimi wouldn't miss the target in the 73rd minute before his tap-in was chalked off by the Video Assistant Referee for offside.
Chances kept coming Porto's way, without the arrival of a killer blow, meanwhile Tondela's lack of sting at the other end meant the Blue & Whites were not unduly worried as they secured a 1-0 victory and a ticket back to first place.
Benfica 3-0 Chaves
Victory at home for Benfica would propel the Eagles right back into the frame for the league title, with the home support expecting no less after Jonas struck gold as soon as the 13th minute on the half-volley.
After his wonder-goal from the edge of the box, Jonas demonstrated that he can do a little bit of everything when tapping in Benfica's second from Eduardo Salvio's cross in the 19th minute, as the Brazilian supplemented his already rich form in front of goal.
The veteran could've added a hat-trick to his name before the half was out, losing his battle with the goalkeeper one-on-one before the interval, with the duty of grabbing the hosts' third eventually falling into Pizzi's path fresh from the restart.
Benfica's night was then marred by the late injury sustained by the ever-impressive Filip Krovinovic, who tore his ACL in his right knee ruling him out for the rest of the season, as Rui Vitória's team closed the gap between them and second place to just a point.
By Patrick Ribeiro
Matchday 19
Vit. Setúbal 1-1 Sporting
FC Porto 1-0 Tondela
Marítimo 0-0 Belenenses
Benfica 3-0 Chaves
Portimonense 1-2 Sp. Braga
Feirense 1-0 Moreirense
Desp. Aves 0-2 P. Ferreira
Rio Ave 2-0 Boavista
Vit. Guimarães 3-1 Estoril