Marega heads Porto towards title after shock Benfica defeat

Just two fixtures now separate us from the end of the Liga NOS season. An exciting weekend of action left those orbiting the Primeira Liga world potentially a mere result away from meeting its champion.

The biggest tremors came from the Estádio da Luz, where Benfica, despite leading, succumbed to a shock 3-2 loss at home to Tondela on Saturday night. With FC Porto ready to pounce on the Eagles' slip-up, Sporting also looked to capitalise on the title holders' downfall with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Portimonense, leaving both rivals locked on 77 points ahead of next week's Lisbon Derby.

In a patient effort, Porto seized their opportunity and move to within a point of securing the title, as a late Moussa Marega goal downed 9-man Marítimo in Madeira. PortuGOAL brings you up to speed with the final stages of the Primeira Liga title race.

 

Benfica 2-3 Tondela

With the symbolic fifth consecutive title still in sight pre-game, Benfica couldn't have asked for a better start to firm up their dream at home to Tondela after Pizzi's opener in the 12th minute, as the Portuguese midfielder managed to squeeze a finish in at the near post.

The hosts pressed on before a long-range pass from David Bruno changed the game's direction, leaving Miguel Cardoso one-on-one with Bruno Varela, the former Benfica youth player scoring with a cool lob over the goalkeeper in the 31st minute.

[To watch match highlights click on the screen below]

Cardoso set off the alarm bells with Tondela's second goal just eight minutes later, as the Portuguese forward picked up the scraps from a long throw to rifle a half-volley into the back of the net.

Substitute Salvio then fluffed his lines early in the second half when firing Douglas' low cross over the bar from a prime position. Tondela goalkeeper Cláudio Ramos starred throughout for the visitors, with poor finishing also responsible for maintaining the away team's lead.

Tondela saw a goal somewhat dubiously chalked off by the referee, but brushed aside the disappointment and made matters worse for Benfica with a third goal through Tomané, leaving Rui Vitória's men little more than ten minutes to turn around a 3-1 deficit.

Eduardo Salvio pulled a goal back in the 94th minute, but little else could be done to deny Tondela bagging all three points in Lisbon.

 

Portimonense 1-2 Sporting

Despite their distance from top spot, Sporting came into their clash with Portimonense with plenty still to play for, as they aimed to set up a winner-takes-all showdown at home to Benfica next weekend by winning at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão.

Rodrigo Battaglia came close to pushing the Lions' plan into motion in the 2nd minute with a back-post header that was well saved by Navacchio, but the honour of breaking the deadlock was reserved for Bruno Fernandes instead, as the midfielder raced onto Bas Dost's knock-down to flick the ball over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

[To watch match highlights click on the screen below]

The visitors remained on top throughout the first half before a whipped pass from Bruno Tabata caught the Sporting backline out of position, allowing Fabrício to finish past Rui Patrício and equalise in the 42nd minute.

Sporting's search for a winner took them right through to the 89th minute, clinching a 2-1 victory through an inspired Bruno Fernandes' volley from range aimed at the bottom-left corner.

The win sees Jorge Jesus' men match Benfica in second place, with a route into next season's UEFA Champions League now at stake in the final Clássico of the season, this Saturday.

 

Marítimo 0-1 FC Porto

Courtesy of Benfica's defeat to Tondela, Porto had a golden chance to edge themselves within touching distance of the title with a win away to Marítimo - a triumph that has evaded the Dragons in each of their last six visits to the 'Barreiros'.

With neither side possessing the cutting edge required to alter the 0-0 scoreline, Sérgio Conceição's side were handed a numerical boost on the brink of half-time when Amir Abedzadeh's last-man challenge on Tiquinho Soares saw Iranian goalkeeper red carded and left Marítimo down to ten men.

[To watch match highlights click on the screen below]

Pablo fuelled a big performance at the back for the hosts with an crucial block from Otávio's 50th minute strike, as Porto resorted to wing-play in search of solutions.

Rather than through a standard cross into a crowded box from open play, Porto eventually cracked the code with yet another set-piece delivery from Alex Telles in the 89th minute, prompting Marega to attack the front post and head in against his former club.

Ten men quickly became nine, with VAR's help, after Ruben Ferreira denied Gonçalo Paciência the chance to race through on goal with a foul, allowing Porto to nail down a 1-0 victory meaning one point from their last two matches will be enough for the Dragons to be crowned 2017/18 Primeira Liga champions.

By Patrick Ribeiro

Matchday 32

Vit. Guimarães 1-0 Moreirense

Vit. Setúbal 0-2 Feirense

Benfica 2-3 Tondela

Portimonense 1-2 Sporting

Boavista 1-0 P. Ferreira

Rio Ave 2-1 Chaves

Marítimo 0-1 FC Porto

Belenenses 0-1 Sp. Braga

 

Monday 30th April

Desp. Aves vs. Estoril