Benfica have moved up to first place in the Primeira Liga table after a late Gilberto winner versus Tondela saw the Eagles take advantage of a Sporting slip-up with a 2-1 victory, this Sunday.
At home, Jorge Jesus’ men were forced to come from behind after a first-half goal from Salvador Agra set Tondela on course for a huge early-season scalp.
Two goals in the final 20 minutes of the 90 turned the tables on the northern outfit, however, maintaining Benfica’s 100% win ratio in the Primeira Liga and opening up a two-point advantage over their rivals, Porto and Sporting.
Beforehand, Porto were the first of the top clubs in action, dispatching three goals past newcomers Arouca in a 3-0 victory at the Estádio do Dragão that initially seen them warm up first place.
The Lions were made to fight for a point after an unfortunate Nuno Mendes own-goal placed Famalicão a goal up, equalising only as late as the 82nd minute through João Palhinha to avoid defeat.
Elsewhere, Braga were unable to apply pressure on the likes of Porto and Sporting with a goalless draw of their own against Vitória in the Minho Derby, with the two foes remaining two points apart in the table.
Paços de Ferreira and Santa Clara have seen their European dreams come to an end after losing to Tottenham Hotspur and Partizan Belgrade in the Europa Conference League qualifiers, this Thursday.
Holding onto a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg, Paços saw their opponents reply with three goals of their own back on English shores, including two from Harry Kane, in a successful night for Spurs boss Nuno Espírito Santo.
Santa Clara also had hopes of defending their 1-0 lead ahead of their travels to Belgrade to face Partizan, but two first-half goals from the Serbian outfit shattered the fairy-tale to confirm a double-elimination for the two Primeira Liga hopefuls.
Portugal have three teams in the group stage of this season’s Champions League, but after today’s draw it will need some against-the-odds results for them to survive in the competition beyond Christmas, especially FC Porto and Benfica.
PSV Eindhoven 0-0 Benfica (aggregate: 1-2)
Liga Bwin 2021/22 continued apace this weekend with the third round of matches concluding last night. Arouca began the third gameweek with their first win since returning to the top flight, which was followed by a thriller between Moreirense and Braga, the latter prevailing very late on.