Liga Bwin football returned this weekend after the conclusion of the season’s first international break. League leaders Benfica maintained their 100% start by thrashing Santa Clara, taking advantage of Sporting and Porto sharing the spoils in the campaign’s inaugural “Clássico”.
Spoil sharing was a common theme of the round, draws taking place in every match but two in an intensely-fought selection of games.
One of those that didn’t end in stalemate though was Estoril’s triumph at Tondela which maintained their fantastic, unbeaten return to the top flight. The star of the show, and PortuGOAL Figure of the Week, was young Portuguese forward Chiquinho, whose goal and assist helped take all three points and his team to second place in the division.
Sporting 1-1 FC Porto
Benfica have renewed their fine form coming into the new season with a 5-0 victory away to Santa Clara, cementing their spot at the top of the Primeira Liga table.
On 19 June 2020 a largely unknown 17-year-old made his debut for Sporting Clube de Portugal. Just 14 months later, Nuno Mendes has become a teammate of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar at PSG in a deal worth €50 million euros for the Lisbon club. He signs during international duty, where he is a teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Liga Bwin’s opening gambit concluded for the season’s first international break this weekend with a number of closely fought, intense encounters. Benfica became the sole team with a 100% record, rising to the top of table after a late comeback win over Tondela, the Eagles taking advantage of defending champions Sporting slipping to a draw at Famalicão.