The race for Europa League qualification in Liga NOS is hotting up of late with the contenders dropping in and out of form interchangeably. This particular contest also had a new dimension added to it this week as Porto and Benfica’s confirmation as this season’s Taça de Portugal finalists means an extra space in Europe will be awarded to the team that finishes 5th domestically, given the current top two once again look nailed on for the two available Champions League places. Ahead I take a look at the contenders in the battle for Europe.

• FC Porto,
• Taça de Portugal
• Viseu

Porto 3-0 Viseu (4-1 on aggregate)

Porto made no mistake in booking their spot in the Taça de Portugal final. Viseu had fought hard to a 1-1 draw in the first leg but couldn’t cause any problems this time out.

Alex Telles converted a penalty in the first half after Zé Luis earned his side a spot kick. The forward headed a second and Sérgio Oliveira rounded out the scoring from close range to set up a Jamor date with Benfica at the end of the season.

• Benfica
• Taça de Portugal
• Famalicao

Famalicão 1-1 Benfica (3-4 on aggregate)

Benfica survived a hard-fought trip to Famalicão to ensure their place at the Taça de Portugal final at Jamor. Pizzi opened the scoring midway through the first half to extend the visitor's lead on aggregate. Famalicão didn’t give up though, having had a goal ruled out by VAR just before the break before Toni Martínez’s late goal gave them hope.

However, it was Benfica who won out over the two legs, setting up a potentially a mouth-watering final with Porto, should they navigate past Viseu tomorrow.

Liga NOS Jornada 20 could yet prove a pivotal moment in the title race after Porto reduced the gap at the top to 4 points after beating rivals Benfica in an electric Saturday night Clássico at Estádio do Dragão. The round also saw more woe for the bottom four teams, and the maintenance of good recent form for Rio Ave, Boavista and Santa Clara.

It’s not often a five goal thriller of a Clássico could have competition for the share of the headlines but Vitória Guimarães certainly rivalled the top two for column inches with a sensational victory at a much-changed Famalicão. Os Vimaranenses were relentless as they helped themselves to seven goals without reply, led from the front with a terrific display from striker Bruno Duarte, the PortuGOAL Figure of the Week.