Portuguese Football in English
Whisper it quietly, but after looking out of sorts for the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, FC Porto are working up a formidable head of steam for the final months of the season.
The Blue and Whites made light work of a tricky-looking fixture in the Algarve, beating Farense 3-1 thanks to a double from the red-hot Evanilson and an Alan Varela goal, with Bruno Duarte scoring for the home side.
Braga 1-1 Estoril (Braga win 5-4 on penalties)
It was far from straightforward but Braga did justice to their favourites tag by beating Estoril in the final of the Portuguese league cup in Leiria tonight to claim the first major piece of silverware of the Portuguese domestic season.
Estoril took an early lead through a Cassiano penalty, but Braga responded quickly via an exceptional long-range volley from captain Ricardo Horta. A largely attritional match ensued with no further goals, the northerners coming out on top in the penalty shootout.
Benfica 1-1 Estoril (Estoril win penalty shootout 5-4)
Estoril caused a shock in Leiria tonight, knocking Benfica out of the Portuguese league cup with a penalty shootout victory after an entertaining semi-final had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.
An early goal from the ever-impressive Rafik Guitane gave Estoril a half-time lead. Benfica captain Nicolás Otamendi equalised on the hour mark, but despite creating several clear chances the Eagles could not score the winner.
Braga 1-0 Sporting
Braga are in the final of the Portuguese league cup after beating Sporting in a lively semi-final in Leiria tonight.
The Lisbon side hit the woodwork three times in the first half and spurned multiple chances, while Abel Ruiz put the ball in the net from only Braga’s second shot on target in 65th minute.
The Arsenalistas improved significantly after taking the lead and held on relatively comfortably to book their place in Saturday’s final.
FC Porto 5-0 Moreirense
FC Porto have remained hot on the heels of rivals Sporting and Benfica with a victory at home to Moreirense in the Primeira Liga, thrashing the high-flyers 5-0 at the Estádio do Dragão.
The Dragons fired themselves ahead of the visitors with an early goal from Brazilian full-back Wendell to take a 1-0 lead into the interval.
Sérgio Conceição’s men repeated their dose coming out of the second half with a goal from another Brazilian, Evanilson, before his compatriot, Galeno, joined the party with a killer third goal.
A fourth clinical strike saw Porto come full circle as Wendell celebrated a brace, before Alan Varela drew the curtains on their biggest win of the season with a 5-0 victory.
