The first Liga NOS round of 2020 saw an exciting clássico between Sporting and Porto end in a narrow victory for the latter, as Benfica stayed top of the pile by edging past Vitória Guimarães. Famalicão took advantage of Sporting’s defeat to reclaim third place and end their own bad patch of league form. 

There was a clear standout result of the weekend though as Braga demolished Belenenses 7-1. Scarcely can a new manager’s first game in charge have gone better, and new Braga boss Rúben Amorim is the PortuGOAL Figure of the Week after his instant impact upon the team.

Sporting 1-2 FC Porto

The first Clássico of 2020 provided rich entertainment for the 41,247 crowd at Alvalade. A cagey first half ended all square after Marcos Acuña's stunning angled shot cancelled out Marega's early effort. 

The hosts came out all guns blazing in the second half, with chance after chance created, but Vietto, Luiz Phellype and Bruno Fernandes could not convert their opportunities, and were punished when Tiquinho Soares rose high to head in the winner for Porto. 

• Benfica
• Sporting de Braga,
• Vitória de Guimarães,
• Belenenses
• Ruben Amorim
• Ricardo Horta
• Franco Cervi

Benfica have moved seven points clear, ahead of second-placed FC Porto, prior to Sunday’s ‘Clássico’ against Sporting after defeating Vitória de Guimarães 1-0 away from home, this Saturday.

A first-half strike from Franco Cervi ultimately made the difference at the Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques, despite growing pressure from the hosts throughout the encounter to pluck a result.

Rochinha’s late red card left Ivo Vieira’s side resigned to defeat, concluding Benfica’s 14th league victory of the season from 15 matches and passing the spotlight back onto Porto before their trip to the Alvalade.

Also tonight, there was a huge win for new Sporting de Braga boss Rúben Amorim on his debut as manager, causing waves at the Jamor with a 7-1 away victory against former club Belenenses. Here’s the best of the Primeira Liga action ahead of the eagerly-anticipated ‘Clássico’.

Football in Portugal is back from its Christmas break and the first round of Primeira Liga matches of 2020 sees Sporting host FC Porto in Lisbon on Sunday afternoon.

The visitors will be desperate for all three points to stay in touch with leaders Benfica, while Sporting are looking to build on improved form of late. PortuGOAL previews the first Clássico of the New Year.