• Benfica
• Primeira Liga,
• FC Porto,
• Classico,
• Sérgio Oliveira
• Sergio Conceicao
• Bruno Lage
• Carlos Vinicius
• Alex Telles

FC Porto 3-2 Benfica

FC Porto have cut the gap at the top of the Primeira Liga table back down to four points after a 3-2 win over Benfica at the Estádio do Dragão kept their title hopes alive, this Saturday.

The two bitter rivals went toe-to-toe in a frenetic, goal-packed first half, initiated by Sérgio Oliveira’s opener and followed up by Carlos Vinícius’ equaliser in the opening 20 minutes.

A controversial penalty, converted by Alex Telles, and a Rúben Dias own goal strengthened Porto’s odds at half-time, prior to Vinícius’ second following the interval, but the Dragons were able to hold onto their slim lead and complete the double over Benfica in head-to-head ‘Clássicos’.

• Benfica
• Classico,
• Pizzi
• Danilo Pereira
• Rafa Silva
• Sergio Conceicao
• Bruno Lage
• Tiquinho Soares

Despite being just 20 games into the Primeira Liga’s season, Saturday’s Clássico between FC Porto and Benfica, with no further clashes between the big three until the tail end of the season, could have a lasting effects on the race for the 2019/20 title.

Seven points currently separate the two Portuguese giants, with hosts Porto hoping to cut that gap back down to four at the Estádio do Dragão and propel themselves back into the tussle for glory. 

However, in the red corner, Benfica will be out to extinguish such hope and accentuate their tag as hot favourites for the title. In a game that you can follow live on Premier Sports 2 here, via subscription, at 8:30pm this Saturday, here’s how the two bitter rivals weigh up against each other.

Last night the first legs of the Portuguese Cup semi-finals took place, with Benfica and FC Porto expected to take a big step towards setting up a “clássico” final at Jamor in May. But Famalicão and Académico do Viseu had not read the script.

In a terrific match at the Estádio da Luz, the lead changed hands three times as a last-gasp goal saw Benfica emerge 3-2 winners. Many observers, however, will agree with the appraisal of Familacão boss João Pedro Sousa, who said in the post-match press conference: “We are not happy, I think we were the better team.”

Porto were also given a tough runout at second-tier side Académico de Viseu. Zé Luís gave the visitors the lead, but the hosts equalised through João Mário to ensure they go into the return leg all square. The second legs take place next Tuesday 12 February. Match details and video highlights below. 

The Liga NOS action continued this week and saw a new entrant into the top 3 as Braga replaced Sporting in 3rd by beating them in another tense encounter between the two rivals. Benfica and Porto remained above the pair after recording victories over Belenenses and Vitória Setúbal respectively.

Important wins in midtable for Boavista, Santa Clara and Tondela, while Aves breathed some life into their relegation battle, but the standout result came at Estádio Cidade de Barcelos as home side Gil Vicente were stunned by a devastating Moreirense performance. PortuGOAL Figure of the Week Filipe Soares led the charge as his side ran out 5-1 winners on Sunday afternoon.