The staggered Liga NOS 2019/20 season continued apace throughout last week with a number of closely-fought encounters. Defending champions Benfica’s woes continued with a draw at Portimonense, and Porto took advantage with a narrow triumph against Marítimo. Sporting edged past Paços to move level with the struggling Braga, who lost a second match in a row at home to Boavista.

Down at the bottom of the division Aves’ dismal campaign continued as they shifted ever closer to their inevitable-looking relegation with defeat at Tondela. PortuGOAL Figure of the Week Ronan was in ruthless form for the home side as his double downed their demoralised opponents.

• Boavista
• Sporting,
• Sporting de Braga,
• Jovane Cabral
• Pacos de Ferreira
• Alberto Bueno

Sporting have gone level on points with Sporting de Braga after the latter found no way through at home to Boavista, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat on Saturday night. 

The Lions, in action the night before with a string of young names in their matchday squad, were able to register their first win since the lockdown comeback, defeating Paços de Ferreira 1-0 at Alvalade after another positive Jovane Cabral display.

A sole Alberto Bueno goal from the penalty spot ensured a bitter scenario for Braga in Boavista’s 1-0 win, leaving both the Arsenalistas and the trailing Sporting sitting on 46 points, just eight games from the end of the season.

• Benfica
• Maritimo
• FC Porto,
• Portimonense
• Jesus Corona

FC Porto have reopened a two-point-gap at the top of the Primeira Liga table after Benfica were held to a fourth consecutive league draw, this time away to Portimonense.

The Eagles, fresh from last week’s lamentable team bus attack, stormed to a 2-0 lead in the first half in what looked to be an overdue return to form in Portimão. Portimonense had other ideas, however, cancelling Benfica’s advantage in the final 25 minutes and registering a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night.

Porto followed up with a win at home versus Marítimo, as Jesús Corona’s early strike powered the Dragons to a narrow and potentially crucial 1-0 victory. PortuGOAL has more.

The return of Liga NOS has been a welcome one for most, and despite the necessary restrictions that accompanied Jornada 25 there was plenty for fans to sink their teeth into in what was a dramatic round of action. Five of the top six sides in the division failed to pick up 3 points with only Famalicão doing so in upsetting Porto, who themselves were let off the hook to a degree in the title race by virtue of Benfica’s failure to beat Tondela.

Belenenses, Paços Ferreira and Portimonense all boosted their relative survival hopes, while mid-tablers Santa Clara and Moreirense also recorded impressive victories. The latter mentioned's win featured the individual performance of the round as Brazilian goalkeeper Mateus Pasinato proved to be in unbeatable form, and as a result he is the PortuGOAL Figure of the Week.