Unlike the majority of Sporting’s matches this season it was far from pretty, but a first-half Pedro Gonçalves goal proved enough for a victory that moves the Lions one step closer to winning the Primeira Liga title.

Rúben Amorim’s men go seven points clear at the summit with five matches remaining and need three more victories to be crowned champions of Portugal. 

Benfica coach Roger Schmidt broke the habit of a lifetime by making wholesale changes to his team and was rewarded with a positive response from the lesser used players and a convincing victory over high-flying Moreirense.

Orkun Kökçü, Tiago Araújo and Benjamín Rollheiser scored, the last two netting their first Benfica goals, as the hosts ran out comfortable 3-0 winners to cut the gap to Lisbon rivals Sporting at the top of the table back down to four points, albeit having played one game more. 

• Mehdi Taremi
• Sergio Conceicao
• FC Famalicao
• Evanilson
• Jhonder Cadiz

FC Porto 2-2 FC Famalicão

FC Porto have been dealt a fresh blow in their sub-par season after registering a 2-2 draw to FC Famalicão at the Estádio do Dragão, this Saturday evening.

The Blue & Whites were dipped in pressure after a Jhonder Cadíz double, either side of Porto’s first-half equaliser, had Famalicão carrying a 2-1 lead into the break.

Porto were able to claw a goal back through Mehdi Taremi, but a winner proved to be out of reach as frustration got the better of the northern giants once more, in the form of a late Evanilson red card.

Sporting’s relentless march towards the title shows no sign of slowing down. The Lions made it 14 wins and one draw from their last 15 Liga matches by swatting aside Gil Vicente with consummate ease in Barcelos tonight.

Two goals from Francisco Trincão, an Ousmane Diomande header and an own goal from Gil goalkeeper Andrew put the visitors 4-0 up at half time.

Gil improved after the break and no further goals were scored, as Sporting go seven points clear at the top of the table ahead of Benfica’s match at home versus Moreirense on Sunday.