The Champions League group stage came to an end for half of the participants in this year's tournament last night, with plenty of Portuguese protagonists. 

Benfica fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Atletico Madrid, and as a result finished second in Group C. Nevertheless, the Eagles qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament for only the third time this century. 

Elsewhere Cristiano Ronaldo was busy breaking records again, hitting four goals past hapless Malmo in an 8-0 victory for Real Madrid. English giants Manchester United are out of the Champions League after losing 3-2 in Germany to Wolfsburg, for whom Portugal international Vieirinha scored one of the goals. 

With one third of the championship now played, Portugal's traditional Big Three are starting to pull clear at the top of the Primeira Liga table. 

On Friday night Benfica beat Académica 3-0, the match highlight being a stupendous goal on his home debut by 18-year-old Renato Sanches (pictured). On Saturday Porto came from behind to beat Paços de Ferreira 2-1 at the Estádio do Dragão. Sporting therefore kicked off their match in Madeira needing to beat Marítimo o stay top, and duly did so thanks to a beautifully worked goal from Adrien. 

Other highlights included Vitória Setúbal's 3-0 win at Belenenses, Arouca beating Boavista 3-2 and a rare win for União da Madeira.

Matchday 11 had a sprinkling of Liga NOS games spread across four days. And it proved to be another lively weekend of action.

This weekend saw Petit leave his post in charge of Boavista after another defeat, a goal-fest of a Madeiran derby and Benfica answer a few questions from the critics. There was also a clash on Sunday evening between two Europa League hopefuls.

A last-gasp winner against Slovan Liberec by substitute Crislan (pictured) gave Braga a fourth win in five Europa League matches last night, thus booking Braga's place in the knockout stage of the competition.

Sporting maintained their excellent form, producing a vibrant display to beat Lokomotiv Moscow 4-2 in sub-zero temperatures in the Russian capital. The Lions will qualify for the next round if they beat Besiktas at the Alvalade in their last match. 

A low-key goalless draw between Belenenses and Lech Poznan at the Restelo kept hopes of qualification for Sá Pinto's side alive, at least in theory. But to make progress, the Azuis have to go to Italy and beat Fiorentina, and hope the result in the other group game goes their way.