Portuguese Football in English
Santa Clara and Nacional up, Marítimo still fighting
The Primeira Liga was without any island clubs for the first time in 39 years in 2023/24, but the situation has been rectified in double quick time.
In the penultimate round of matches in the Segunda Liga this Sunday, Azorean outfit Santa Clara won to confirm they bounce straight back up to Portugal’s top flight, Nacional da Madeira joined them, and Marítimo are still in with a shout of making it a trio of island promotions.
Leixões’ long and relegation threatened season came to a satisfactory conclusion at Estádio do Mar where they earned a hard fought 0-0 draw against AVS.
The Segunda Liga’s weakest attack put the ball in the net in the 26th minute, Simãozinho’s strike ruled out after João Marcos was found to be four centimeters offside by the VAR.
AVS went close twice in added time, Zé Ricardo’s shot blocked by Paulité and Nenê’s free kick deflected wide.
The result sees the Bébés do Mar go four points clear of Feirense who will contest the regelation play-off position. The club from Aves are now unlikely to achieve automatic promotion, instead locked in a battle with Marítimo for third spot on the table.
Sporting beat Estoril 1-0 thanks to a late goal from substitute Paulinho after the hosts had put up a good fight and restricted the newly crowned champions of Portugal to far fewer chances than they have been used to this season.
Although not at their best, Rúben Amorim’s men found a way to win again, in so doing breaking two club records. The victory set a new landmark for the most number of victories in a Primeira Liga season (28) and most number of points accumulated in a single campaign (87), with a home match against Chaves next weekend to come to try and extend the new records.
A lot was confirmed in the Portugal’s top flight in the last jornada. Sporting were confirmed champions after Benfica lost to Famalicão and we had our first confirmed relegation as Vizela ended their 3-year stay in the top division with a loss to Moreirense.
The celebrations in Lisbon were incredible and the tears in Vizela heartbreaking but there are still things to be ironed out for the rest of the league.
This round of matches has the potential to deliver (nearly) as much drama as last week. PortuGOAL previews the penultimate weekend of Primeira Liga action.
Sporting are the 2023/24 champions of Portugal. The Lions clinched the title with two games to spare this weekend after victory against Portimonense at home on Saturday evening followed by Benfica’s defeat at Famalicão on Sunday night.
The Lisbon giants may yet complete the double, with the Portuguese Cup final against FC Porto to come, but regardless of the outcome of that match, this season will go down as one of the most memorable in the history of the club.
Sporting are on course to break a club record for the highest number of points accumulated in a single season, and are one match away from finishing with a 100% winning record at home, which will also be a first for the club.
So how have they done it? Here are seven reasons explaining Sporting’s phenomenal season.
