Italian midfielder Issa Doumbia has signed a 5-year contract with Sporting. (Photo: www.sporting.pt)
Sporting continue to be active early in the summer transfer market as they prepare for the 2026/27 club season.
The Lisbon outfit completed the signing of Italian midfielder Issa Doumbia on Monday, paying Venezia 20 million euros with a possible further €6 million in add-ons for the 22-year-old.
Doumbia has signed a five-year contract, which has a release clause of €80 million.
He is Sporting’s third signing in recent weeks, having purchased Rodrigo Zalazar from Braga and Pedro Lima from AFS.
“It’s the most important step of my career,” said Doumbia. “It’s the best club to help me develop.”
The signings of Zalazar, Lima and Doumbia signal a remodelling of Sporting’s midfield. Japanese stalwart Hidemasa Morita has left the club, captain Morten Hjulmand is expected to depart and speculation also surrounds the future of Pedro Gonçalves and Daniel Bragança.
A goal in each half by Gaizka Larrazabal and Lawrence Ofori gave Casa Pia a 2-0 win over Torreense and ensured the Lisbon minnows remain the top flight for another season.
It was a deserved win for Álvaro Pacheco’s team, who were the stronger side throughout the 90 minutes. Torreense were clearly physically diminished by their Portuguese Cup heroics on the weekend.
***
This season’s relegation/promotion playoff could have been labelled the “homeless” playoff. Casa Pia continue to play their “home” games in Rio Maior, 85 kilometres north of their Pina Manique stadium. A crowd of under 2,000 fans turned up on Thursday night despite what was at stake.
Torreense themselves will play their Europa League matches in the Algarve next season instead of their own ground in Torres Vedras (a distance of 300 kilometres), and if they had gained promotion, it was not certain that their small stadium would have been approved for Primeira Liga matches.
That decision will no longer have to be made by the Portuguese football authorities as Casa Pia’s victory means the Geese will be playing in the country’s top division for a fifth successive season.
Wonder goal averted by fingertip save
It could have been very different if Javi Vázquez’s sensational shot early in the game from inside his own half had gone in. The Spaniard had noticed Casa Pia goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira way off his line and the Costa Rican was forced to backtrack furiously and dive backwards to touch the ball around the post as it was about to drop into the net.
That was as good as it got for the visitors as Casa Pia began to dominate the match and create chances.
André Geraldes tested Torreense goalkeeper Lucas Paes, Jérémy Livolant hit the post, before Dailon Livramento smashed a shot against the underside of the crossbar. The Cape Verdean then missed two glaring chances from headers.
Larrazabal does the business
You sensed a goal was coming for Casa Pia and it duly arrived in the 38th minute when the excellent Larrazabal finished smartly after a pinpoint through ball by Kevin Prieto. The Spaniard has enjoyed a fantastic season, playing both as a right wing-back and a right winger. Out of contract, it would be no surprise if one of Portugal’s bigger clubs signed him.
The second half was a more even affair, with Torreense’s half-time substitute Alejandro Alfaro coming close to an equaliser on three occasions.
Casa Pia scored a crucial second goal in the 78th minute to give them breathing space. Ofori tapped in from close range after superb work by striker Cassiano to set him up.
Vázquez almost pulled a goal back, his low shot fizzing just wide, but Torreense were out of energy. Three crunch games in eight days had taken their toll.
“Lack of common sense” – Luís Tralhão
It was difficult not sympathise Torreense coach Luís Tralhão after the match when he said: “There was a lack of common sense by whoever organises the schedule.” His team were forced to play the two legs of the playoff in between the biggest game in the club’s history – the Portuguese Cup final – within the space of one week.
As for Casa Pia coach Álvaro Pacheco, the experienced manager said: “both teams deserve to be in the Primeira Liga.”
A huge shock at Jamor saw second-tier team Torreense beat holders Sporting in the Portuguese Cup final this afternoon.
The team from Torres Vedras took an early lead through a Kévin Zohi header and held onto it going into the break. Sporting levelled ten minutes into the second half through Luis Suárez.
No further scoring meant extra time, the decisive moment coming when Maxi Araújo fouled Ismail Seydy for a penalty, resulting in a red card for the Sporting left-back. Torreense captain Stopira smashed home the spot kick for a famous victory.
It was the seventh time a team from outside the top flight had made it to the final. The other six times the team from the Primeira Liga had ended up lifting the trophy. Not this time. Congratulations to Torreense, the winners of the 2025/26 Portuguese Cup.
Sporting came into the game huge favourites but from the first chance of the game Torreense took a shock lead.
Javi Vásquez did well to win a corner and the Spaniard took it himself. His cross was flicked on by Léo Azevdo and striker Zohi was in the right place at the right time to nod in from close range.
Sporting immediately set about trying to level the game, and the match was played almost entirely in the half of the pitch the Lisbon team were attacking.
Nevertheless, Torreense’s rapid front line were keeping Sporting’s defenders on their toes, Gonçalo Inácio shown a yellow card for bringing down the speedy Dany Jean in full flight.
Luis Suárez back-heeled a chance wide, and Pedro Gonçalves blazed over the bar when well-placed after being expertly set up by Morita.
Pote hits the post
Pote came close to atoning for that miss in the 33rd minute, turning sharply, shooting past Luca Paes, but his shot bounced back into play after hitting the post.
Suárez was next to come close to levelling up the scores, his shot saved well by Paes after being slipped in on goal by Pote. Half time and a surprise score at Jamor. Sporting 0-1 Torreense.
The Lions continued on the front foot after the break and finally drew level in the 54th minute, inevitably through their prolific Colombian striker. Maxi Araújo did well to pressure the Torreense defence following a corner, the ball ricocheting to Suárez who cut past his marker and fired a low shot into the corner of the net.
Soon afterwards Sporting fans thought their side had taken the lead, Geny Catamo scoring from close range from a Maxi cross, but the Mozambican had strayed into an offside position.
Sporting had applied heavy pressure in search of the equaliser, but once level the team lowered their intensity and the chances dried up. Whether by accident or design, the Lions would pay a heavy price for failing to keep Torreense on the back foot.
Hjulmand saw a shot from range turned around the post by Paes but from the last action in normal time it was Torreense who went close, a ricochet off André Simões thudding into the side-netting.
Torreense fans went berserk in the 94th minute when the ball fell at Diadie’s feet behind the Sporting defence and he duly smashed it into the net, but the celebrations were cut short as the substitute was in an offside position.
The game became stretched with both teams tiring. Francisco Trincão forced Paes into another save, but when the referee blew for half time in extra time the spectre of a penalty shootout was looming large.
It wouldn’t be needed, and Torres Vedras will not sleep tonight.
The players will not be able to party too hard though. On Thursday they play the second leg of the promotion/relegation playoff against Casa Pia having drawn the first leg 0-0. What will now go down as their greatest ever season could yet get better.
“Am I emotional? To be honest, it hasn’t really hit me yet. I haven’t really got a notion of what we’ve just done. I think I got more emotional thinking about this day when I was driving my car the last few days than I am right now. When it sinks in, maybe I’ll get more emotional.
“But I’m emotional when I see my family in the stands, because it’s a lot of suffering. A coach’s life gives a lot of pleasure, but also a lot of anguish. I’m emotional looking at all these fans and seeing the happiness we gave them; it fills my heart with joy.
“The celebrations have to be controlled [because of Thursday’s game], at least for me. The players deserve everything that will happen to them today.”
Think of Portuguese football, and three clubs would immediately come to mind: Benfica, Porto, and Sporting. There is hardly any league in Europe that has been controlled by just three clubs as we see in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. For the last decade, the three have battled for league titles, local cups, and even relevance in major European competitions. And looking at the momentum, it doesn’t look like the rivalry between these three is fading any time soon.
After being frustrated for years, Sporting recently had the league titles under their belt back-to-back. Though Benfica managed to bring José Mourinho on board, they still struggled to win major trophies, while Porto this season again emerged as the champion. And with the way power has constantly shifted between these three clubs, determining who actually dominated the last ten years may not be very easy.
But this debate is not just about league titles. European performances, transfer business, managers, financial strength, and consistency across competitions all matter. Following the competition at stake, fans globally, including in the UK are also following Portuguese football more closely than ever now, especially during Champions League nights and fierce matches like Sporting vs Benfica. And, fans are not just following these games; they add an extra layer of excitement to the whole thing as they track odds, analyze predictions, and place wagers on the match outcomes using popular betting apps available to them.
Now, let’s take a closer look at this debate to see who truly came out on top.
Domestic titles: who won what between 2015/16 and 2025/26
How can we truly figure who dominated the most without considering trophies? While the three clubs have been strong sides in the league, none of them has managed to completely dominate throughout the last 10 years. But they have all had their times as champions in the last decade.
Below is how the Primeira Liga standings look across the last decade in terms of the teams that have emerged as champions:
Season
Champion
2015/16
Benfica
2016/17
Benfica
2017/18
Porto
2018/19
Benfica
2019/20
Porto
2020/21
Sporting CP
2021/22
Porto
2022/23
Benfica
2023/24
Sporting CP
2024/25
Sporting CP
2025/26
Porto
Portuguese Cup (Taça de Portugal): who lifted it most?
The Taça de Portugal is usually a strong test of a team’s mental strength, especially when it comes to knockout football. So, who lifted this the most among the three teams? That will be Sporting CP. The club has proved to be the strongest in cup competitions, especially during major matches and recently under Ruben Amorim.
Porto too has not been doing badly in this wise. Their performance in domestic cups have been quite interesting as they often managed to reach the latter stages even in the midst of intense pressure from league fixtures. For Benfica, there has not been anything significant to write home about them in this regard.
Though not as popular as the championship title, the League Cup and Super Cup are good places to measure the consistency and depth of a team. Here, Benfica remains the strongest over the last decade. They have managed to explore their squad depth to achieve something significant in the competitions every season.
Sporting has also been a force to reckon with since 2020 when the club seems to have rediscovered their mojo, facing every match with an unbeatable winning mentality.
Europe: who went furthest and who disappointed most?
While success on the domestic level is always the big thing, European football is where clubs register their name internationally. And interestingly, all the three sides have had their moments in Europe.
Champions League campaigns
Here, Benfica tended to lead, at least until this season. The team has produced the biggest run in the last decade. They reached the UEFA Champions League quarter finals in the 2022/23 season, pulling up strong performances against even elite oppositions. Sporting this season equalled that feat, beating reigning European champions PSG along the way, before falling to a narrow defeat to Arsenal.
Benfica’s run three seasons ago also increased discussions around the club internationally. Owing to their storied history, people tend to recognize and talk more about them even outside Portugal. Fans followed their fixtures, especially during high-profile European nights and topics like Benfica vs Real Madrid standings always make the trends as the competition intensified. However, we won’t be seeing the Eagles in next season’s competition as Benfica recently failed to secure a place in the Champions League next season after a disappointing draw to Braga. Unfortunately, their fans who may have been looking for details about UEFA champions league final tickets for the next campaign will have to look elsewhere.
Porto, however, were probably the most consistently competitive Portuguese side in Europe across the full decade. They may not have produced the biggest run, but they have managed to consistently be in the knockout rounds and no clubs can look down on them in any way – whether from Spain, England, or Germany. They are often a tough nut against any side.
For Sporting, their European journey has not been that fascinating. They have gradually improved over the last decade, with more momentum associated with the time Ruben Amorim was managing the club.
However, Portuguese football recently climbed up in UEFA's coefficient rankings, making it to the 7th position. That shows the amount of strength the three teams brought to the table at Champions League level during the decade.
As José Mourinho once said while reflecting on Porto’s European mentality: “I won't say we have to win. I won’t put that pressure. But we can’t lose.” That mentality remained visible throughout the decade, especially in difficult away matches against Europe’s biggest clubs.
Europa League and Conference League
The Champions League is not the only place Portuguese teams get to show their prowess on the continental front. The teams also demonstrated excellence in the Europa League. In fact, a team like Porto treated the Europa League just as seriously as the Champions League, producing several strong campaigns. They are experienced and disciplined, and these gave them the advantage of becoming a competitive side in the competition even after dropping out of the Champions League.
Sporting has also been doing relatively well in secondary UEFA competitions. The Lisbon side seems to have been doing excellently well in the tournament since after 2020, giving them the chance to compete and improve their country’s UEFA co-efficient.
Meanwhile Benfica has not enjoyed so much of a great time outside the Champions League. Some campaigns ended in disappointing exits, while others only showed flashes of genuine quality. And most of the time, this leaves a toll on their finance and transfer plans.
The managers: who had the best coaches and how much did it matter?
Portuguese football is not only shaped by the quality of players they have. The managers contribute as much as players to what we see today. Long-term planning, tactical identity, and stability are all what come together to determine if a club will stay competitive or keep running without momentum.
Now let’s see the managers these teams have had over the last decade and the impact they have on the clubs.
Porto
Sérgio Conceição is probably the best coach Porto has had this decade. Between 2018 and 2024 that he managed the club, he turned them to a highly competitive side, both locally and in Europe. They won many league titles during this time, bringing the club’s name back to the lips of football fans. The team, under him, were known for their discipline, aggressive play, and excellent winning mentality. Even in seasons when Sporting and Benfica appeared stronger on paper, Porto still remained a force to reckon with.
After his departure, Vítor Bruno took the baton, but the team struggled to maintain the consistency they had built under Conceição. But Francesco Farioli came in 2025 and brought life back to the club. They have just won the league title under Farioli and became even stronger against in European ties.
Sporting
Ruben Amorim remained the most remarkable manager for this team in the last decade. He did not only impact Sporting but also the entire Portuguese football. Sporting was struggling when Amorim took the job in 2020. The club had not won the league in 19 years. But in just his first season, the capital side was once again crowned champion.
The Lisbon side became really strong tactically and had a number of trusted younger players. They had the structure and brought the fight to any team playing against them. Matches like Sporting vs Benfica started to feel different because the team has evolved from being a spent force to a formidable force.
Even after Amorim left the club for Manchester United, Sporting still continues in its legacy, competing at the top of the table. A look at Sporting CP vs Benfica standings will immediately reveal this. Amorim indeed won more than just trophies for the club; he restored belief to both the players and the fans.
Benfica
Unlike Porto and Sporting who seem to have benefited a lot from long-term stability, Benfica suffered from constant managerial changes. From Jorge Jesus to Bruno Lage, Nélson Veríssimo, Roger Schmidt, and then Bruno Lage again, the club has changed managers too often than many clubs in Portugal. Each of these managers come with their own unique identity and tactics, making the club’s style fluctuate a lot in the last decade. However, one must say that despite the changings, they were still successful on the pitch.
José Mourinho took up the managerial appointment in 2025, and it seemed things would become stable for a while. He managed to improve things on the European front and finished the 2025/2026 season unbeaten, but they couldn’t secure the league. Mourinho has also secured a move to Real Madrid now, meaning the Eagles will have to look for a new gaffer.
The overall verdict: who dominated the decade?
After ten years of title races, managerial changes, European campaigns, and financial battles, the answer depends largely on what “dominance” actually means.
The case for Benfica
Benfica probably owned the first half of the decade. The team consistently won the league, buoyant in their finances, and produced some of the biggest player sales in European football. They are masters of turning young talents from their academy to world stars. João Félix came from their academy and Enzo Fernández arrived as a fresh face from South America. The move of both to Atlético Madrid and Chelsea respectfully remain some of the biggest sales in Portuguese football history.
Their 2022/23 Champions League run also remained one of the best from the country in the last decade.
The Case for Porto
Porto’s argument is built on consistency. It doesn’t matter who is managing the team or what financial pressure they are under; they remain competitive every season. Even when Sporting or Benfica looked stronger, you will often see Porto finishing towards the top of the table.
After winning the title in 2025/26 under Francesco Farioli, it became obvious how quickly the team could rebuild and recover. If we are to look at how the three teams have managed to avoid major collapse during the last decade, then it will be hard to say anyone has done better than the Dragons.
The case for Sporting
Sporting’s story was the most dramatic. For many years, the team has struggled behind their local rivals until Amorim showed up and he quickly restored them back to the position of one of the strongest in the league. In a space of just five years, the capital side won the league three times after waiting 19 years.
Presently, they also have one of the most defined footballing structures in the league. They have a pool of young talents they can always promote for long-term performance.
Final verdict
In all of these, the truth is that no single club dominated throughout the entire decade. Each of the teams had their fair share of dominance. Benfica controlled the narrative between 2015 and 2020, while Sporting became the defining force between 2021 and 2025. Porto has been consistently competitive through the era and presently, they are the champion, winning the title again in 2025/26.
PortuGOAL’s “Talk of the Town” feature is back, with a long overdue trip to one of Portugal’s island clubs.
After three years out of the limelight, Madeira’s major team, Club Sport Marítimo, will be back in the big-time next season following an exceptional season and a Second Division championship title.
Learn about the proud past and the exciting present of one of Portugal’s oldest clubs, where outstanding achievements, individual brilliance, politics and a staunch identity intertwine throughout more than a century of history.
Madeiran descendent and PortuGOAL correspondent Kevin Fernandes gives us the lowdown on Marítimo’s fabulous 2025/26 season in three articles highlighting the main protagonists behind the success, and the thoughts of club president Carlos André Gomes.
Check out the remarkable story of the return to the game for Joel Santos, a star player for the islanders during the 1990s and 2000s, who has been contracted by Norwegian club Sauherad IL at 50 years of age.
Last but not least, Madeira is one of Portugal’s top tourist destinations. PortuGOAL journalist Matthew Marshall is a seasoned traveller to the island and he presents readers with a comprehensive guide detailing how to get the best out of a trip to “the Pearl of the Atlantic”.
Marítimo’s return to the top flight sparked huge celebrations among their fans in Madeira
In 2023, Carlos André Gomes won a snap presidential election in convincing fashion, months after CS Marítimo were relegated from Liga Portugal for the first time in almost 40 years.
Upon taking office, Gomes proclaimed on RTP Madeira: “From today, there is only one Marítimo; there are no factions within the club.”
The priority was clear, and on the pitch of the Caldeirão (the nickname of the Estádio de Marítimo meaning the ‘Cauldron’) after the islanders were confirmed as champions of Liga Portugal 2, Gomes reflected upon what had been outlined and promised, in the company of Sport TV journalists: “We set out with the aim of getting Marítimo back into the first division, and we succeeded.”
Title celebrations
“From the very start, we knew what we were here for. We had a clear goal and we stayed focused on achieving it every step of the way. Today, that’s exactly how I feel: a job well done.”
When asked about the difficulties faced throughout his mandate, Gomes was dismissive: “I don’t look back. We had a goal and we laid a solid foundation to achieve it. We succeeded, and that’s what matters most.”
Gomes equally brushed off praise of the job he and his board have done, concluding: “Marítimo is much bigger than any executive.”
More than just a sporting institution
The president of Marítimo thanked the Regional Government of Madeira at a ceremony held in honour of O Maior das Ilhas (The Greatest of the Islands), arguing that the club represents “much more than just a sporting institution,” therefore also more than just a football team.
The 55-year-old continued in a heartfelt speech, underlining Marítimo’s “decisive role in affirming our regional identity” and in promoting the region around the world, going so far as to describe Marítimo as “Madeira’s greatest exporter of emotions.”
The former project manager and financial director even took a political stance, as he believes that Marítimo is “a tool for combating centralism,” an issue close to the heart of those outside of Lisbon (especially outside of the mainland).
For Marítimistas and Madeirans, it is more than a second division title.
In declarations cited by O Jogo, Gomes explained: “A big club is only big because of a big fan base, and this fan base has always supported us, through thick and thin. Marítimo is great because it always has that support behind it; the fans are the true soul of Marítimo, and moreover it is the greatest proof that Marítimo is a living force in the region.”
“Marítimo is Madeira and Madeira is Marítimo.”
Gomes’ impassioned words in relation to Marítimo and the role it plays in the community of Funchal and the island of Madeira as whole are an extension of the football club’s official anthem:
‘Oh Marítimo, oh Marítimo
You do Madeira proud
With pride and dignity
Oh Marítimo, oh Marítimo
Your name stands at the forefront
Of Portuguese sport’
A league title won, but no manager?
Despite the festivities, uncertainty has begun to creep in regarding the immediate future as Marítimo and title-winning manager Miguel Moita have parted ways.
In an official statement, Gomes revealed that “precisely because of the responsibility that returning to the Primeira Liga entails, the club felt that now was the right time to reflect, in a thorough and strategic manner, on the first team’s next sporting cycle.
“This analysis, carried out calmly and with a sense of responsibility, led to the decision to start the new season with a new head coach. Of course, the names of Miguel Moita and his coaching staff will forever be etched in Marítimo’s history, having led the club back to the top flight of Portuguese football.”
In a press conference transmitted by the club, Miguel Moita gave the impression that this surprise ‘divorce’ was a mutual decision, explaining: “Just as the club is looking for a different type of player, I too had decided some time ago to look for something different for myself. That is why I think that, up to this point, the board and the manager have been on the same page.”
Carlos André Gomes, “out of respect” for Miguel Moita, has promised to reveal the name of Marítimo’s next manager “in due course,” only after undertaking a thorough process to select the right coach.
Marítimo are back in the top flight after winning Liga Portugal 2 in convincing fashion (Photo: www.csmaritimo.org.pt)
As mentioned in the article entitled The resurgence of Club Sport Marítimo (written at an important interjection in the Liga Portugal 2 campaign), the Madeira club came into this 2025/2026 season with an overhauled squad and a certain degree of trepidation among the fanbase, venturing into the unknown by handing Vítor Matos and then Miguel Moita their first senior head-coaching roles.
(It is worth noting that this sentiment may repeat itself as Miguel Moita has officially parted ways with Marítimo, despite the resounding success that was achieved at the latter stages of this campaign under his guidance).
The phrase that defined Club Sport Marítimo’s season is “É p’ra primeira!” – “To the first division”. However, and quite ironically, the figure of their season is not an outfield player, nor does he boast any experience in the top flight.
Goalkeeper outshines outfielders
26-year-old Samú Silva has been voted Liga 2 Goalkeeper of the Month on seven separate occasions this season. The Portuguese shot-stopper has truly been a level above when defending the Marítimo goal, boasting top-level reflexes, secure handling and coverage in 1v1 situations.
Ahead of Samú, Marítimo possess two imposing defensive stalwarts in captain Romain Correia and Danish academy product Noah Madsen. Born in France and a former representative of Porto B, Correia excels as a traditional central defender in aerial duels, whereas Madsen has garnered interest from the likes of Sporting, Wolfsburg and Midtjylland.
Madsen has been particularly dominant, also impressing in recovery phases and with vital last-ditch interventions.
Apart from Paulo Henrique, the authoritative Azorean full-back, Marítimo rotated heavily in the defensive and midfield sectors as both Xavi Grande and Igor Julião (two vertical, offensively aggressive right-sided defenders), Ibrahima Guirassy and Vladan Danilović (two secure ball-winning midfielders) and Marco Cruz and Raphael Guzzo (two relatively complete, box-crashing midfielders) contributed in distinct moments of the season with substantial minutes.
Four standouts bring the goals
Offensively, four players were the main protagonists.
Two Spaniards contributed to eighteen goals between them: the tricky Simo Bouzaidi and target man Adrián Butzke.
La revolución española del Club Sport Marítimo 🇪🇸❤️💚
Moroccan-born Bouzaidi was composed from the penalty spot (guaranteeing promotion with a panenka) and a constant threat down the right flank, with his trickery and audacious dribbles. He was the club’s third to goal-scorer and joint-first for assists.
Joining from Vitória SC in early September, Butzke was not always clinical, but compensated when playing with his back to goal. Top goalscorer Carlos Daniel, either as an advanced midfielder or as a false No9 picked up the slack in those moments, with a particularly productive start to the campaign.
Star in the making
The best has been left for last as Martin Tejón, the Liga Portugal 2 Young Player of the Season, was considered by many to be the best player in the entire division. Tejón deserves to be recognised amongst the elite in Portugal for pure technical ability, as his ball-control and ability to manipulate defences is second-to-few.
The 21-year-old is one to watch. What he lacks in physical presence, he compensates for with silky playmaking. Marítimo were often an authoritative team, controlling matches and suffocating the opposition, so Tejón’s ability to break deadlocks with moments of magic was fundamental to turn one point into three.
There was plenty of Madeiran talent on display, raring to make an impact. Francisco ‘Xiko’ Gomes (son of Portuguese international Danny) scored what would be the title-winner against Leixões, Rodrigo Andrade saw out matches in defence and midfield, and 17-year-old midfielder Nélio Batista made his senior debut in Marítimo’s last outing of the campaign – remember the name.
Finally, a word to the Marítimo supporters. The Atlantic Ocean did not prevent thousands of them from following their side on the mainland as they fought their way back to the pinnacle of the Portuguese football pyramid.
A festa dos 1000 adeptos em Alverca a apoiar o Club Sport Marítimo 🔴🟢
For an isolated island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean that accounts for less than 2.5% of the population of Portugal, Madeira has played a disproportionately prominent role in Portuguese football.
Two of the greatest ever Portuguese players to play the game were born, bred and learned the ropes of the game in Madeira.
Marítimo are ranked 10th in the list of teams with the most seasons in Portugal’s top flight, despite a clash of political ideologies that led to clubs from Madeira being exiled from taking part in the nation’s football pyramid for four decades.
These three statements of fact reflect a deeply enrooted passion for the game among the Madeiran people. Club Sport Marítimo, founded in 1910, is the island’s major football team.
History of Club Sport Marítimo
The history of Marítimo can be split into three distinct periods.
Foundation, establishment as Madeira’s major football club, champions of Portugal
Decades of enforced isolation from competing with mainland teams
Emancipation and ascension as one of Portugal’s top-table staples
Founded by Cândido Gouveia in 1910, Marítimo adopted the colours associated with the Portuguese Republican Party at the time, a political association that would have a major impact on the club’s subsequent trajectory.
Marítimo took part in the newly formed championship of Madeira from the outset, winning the first two editions, before it was interrupted by the First World War. Upon the league’s resumption, Marítimo’s biggest rivals, União da Madeira, came out on top, before a period of complete dominance by the Green & Reds, winning 9 of the next 10 Madeira league titles.
National champions!
Marítimo sensationally won the Campeonato de Portugal in 1926 (Image:www.csmaritimo.org.pt)
Football was taking hold all over Portugal, and in the 1921/22 season the Campeonato de Portugal (Championship of Portugal) began, which was a national cup competition into which the respective winners of each regional league were invited.
Remarkably, Marítimo won it in 1925/26, earning the right to call themselves national champions. The Lions of Madeira thrashed FC Porto 7-1 in the semi-final then vanquished Belenenses 2-0 in the final. A newspaper of the day speculated that the club’s success was owing to “a combativeness and grit that was out of the ordinary, perhaps as a way for the local population to release the frustrations of the arduous rigours of day-to-day life in such a poor land as Madeira.”
Pinga, Portuguese football’s first superstar
Pinga, perhaps the greatest footballer of his generation, was known as “the Pearl of the Atlantic”, a nickname he shares with the island of his birth
Whether it was the socioeconomic conditions, a natural aptitude for the sport, or a combination of the two factors, Marítimo fans were served up fantastic football at the time. The 1920s was a golden decade for club. As well as the Portuguese Championship triumph and dominance on the island, two Marítimo players earned full Portugal caps, one of whom was a very special talent.
Long before the emergence of Portugal’s greatest ever footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Madeira had spawned another truly astonishing player. Artur de Sousa, known in the football work as Pinga, impressed so much at Marítimo that he received offers from the biggest clubs on the mainland. FC Porto won the race to sign him and he went on to enjoy a legendary career for the Dragons.
Forced exclusion by the New State dictatorship
Unfortunately for Marítimo and the Madeiran teams as a whole, already at a severe disadvantage when competing at national level owing to the difficulty in travelling from the middle of the Atlantic to the Iberian Peninsula, politics brought an abrupt end to development of the game in the island. Portuguese football historian Miguel Lourenço Pereira takes up the story:
“An attempted military coup against Salazar in 1931, the leaders of which took control of the island for weeks, condemned football in Madeira. When the army finally wrested control back into the hands of the fascist movement, not only the main leaders of the rebellion were killed or deported to Africa, but also their main institutions were deprived of any political or social relevance.
The regime then declared that their football clubs were vetoed from taking part in the newly formed league championship and to play in the Portuguese Cup they had first to arrange a tournament locally to select a representative who then had to travel to Lisbon to play their home matches there. That situation remained the same until the mid-1970s and caused football on the island to stagnate as the clubs could not compete with anyone other than their own neighbours.”
The modern era: Marítimo among the elite
Things changed drastically throughout Portugal after the 1974 revolution and Madeira was no different. Traditionally one of the poorest regions in the country, the island became an increasingly popular tourist destination which, along with central government and European Union subsidies. significantly boosted its economy.
Portugal was now a democracy and the island clubs were brought back into the fold. Charismatic regional government leader Alberto João Jardim used football to further enhance the image of Madeira, funding the local clubs. All three Funchal sides would enjoy spells in the top flight, simultaneously on one occasion in the 1989/90 season, which made Funchal the second most represented city in the league, only behind Lisbon.
Despite some noteworthy performances by Nacional da Madeira, it was Marítimo who remained the regional powerhouse. They had been the first island club to get promoted to the Primeira Liga, in 1977/78, and after a few years yoyoing between the top two divisions, the club definitively established itself as a top-flight regular, spending almost four decades uninterrupted among the elite between 1985-2023.
Club merger averted
The President of the Regional Government, Alberto João Jardim, was known for his headstrong views and determination to raise the profile of Madeira at every opportunity. In 1997 he was keen to merge the three major football clubs in Funchal into a single “super” club of the island.
The presidents of União, Nacional and Marítimo gave the green light to the idea, but they were not counting on fierce opposition by the respective fan bases. A huge opposition movement was swiftly organised to block the move. The erstwhile universally popular Jardim was subjected to a ferocious chorus of whistling, booing and heckling when attending a Marítimo match. The supporters won the day and the idea was dropped.
Europe and Cup final appearances
Marítimo would steadily improve year on year, especially upon the appointment of ambitious young Brazilian coach Paulo Autuori. In 1992/93, propelled by what became known as the trio-maravilha of Brazilians Ademir Alcântara, Edmilson and Jorge Andrade, a dream season saw the islanders achieve a highest ever finish of fifth. Qualification for the UEFA Cup was sealed in the last home game of the season thanks to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Boavista, with Ademir scoring in the 86th and 87th minutes in front of the euphoric crowd.
It was just the start. Marítimo went on to qualify for Europe on a further seven occasions, with the likes of Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Valencia and Glasgow Rangers among the big-name teams who visited the Estádio dos Barreiros.
Marítimo captain Camacho Dantas exchanges pennants with his Juventus counterpart Roberto Baggio ahead of a UEFA Cup tie in 1994
Marítimo also made a splash in the domestic cup competitions. They reached the prestigious Portuguese Cup final at Jamor on two occasions, in 1994/95 and 2000/2001, losing against Sporting and Porto respectively. This was followed by two appearances in the League Cup final, in successive years, but both in 2014/15 and 2015/16 Benfica came out on top.
New stadium
In 2016 the club inaugurated its completely refurbished stadium, using the occasion to rechristen the venue Estádio do Marítimo; its previous name had been Estádio dos Barreiros. One year later, it hosted the national team who were reigning European champions, in a friendly match against Sweden.
After further improvements, the stadium was considered the fourth best football arena in Portugal in the 2022/23 season, only behind the traditional “Big Three” of Benfica, Sporting and Porto.
Marítimo’s long run in Portugal’s top division came to an end in 2022/23 when a promotion/relegation playoff was lost in agonising fashion against Estrela da Amadora in a penalty shootout. After 38 years in the Primeira Liga, Marítimo dropped down to the second tier.
However, at the third time of asking Marítimo bounced back up, and did so in style. Hitting top spot in Liga II after matchday 15, the Lions of Madeira never budged from there, winning the second division championship with four matches to spare by a huge margin. Judging by their performances in 2025/26, the club look to be in a good place to re-establish themselves at the top table in Portugal once again.
Fact File
Name: Club Sport Marítimo (commonly known as Marítimo)
Founded: 1910
Where? Marítimo is located in Funchal, the capital city of the island of Madeira.
How to get there: Madeira Airport, also named the Cristiano Ronaldo Airport, is 18 km west of Funchal. Regular bus journeys connect the airport to the city.
Stadium: Estádio do Marítimo (capacity: 10,600)
Honours/Highest Finish: 5th place in the top flight (6 times)
Nicknames: Leões de Madeira (Lions of Madeira), Verde-Rubros (Green & Reds)
Curiosity: Marítimo traditionally fielded a multitude of Brazilian footballers during their decades in the top flight. In the 2010/11 season the squad contained no fewer than 22 players from the South American country. In the opening Liga Portugal match of that season against Vitória de Setúbal, nine of the starting XI were Brazilian.
Académico de Viseu’s last participation in the Primeira Liga was 37 years ago. In the 1988/1989 season, Académico de Viseu, formerly called Clube Académico de Futebol, got relegated to the second division and seemed destined never to come back. The club were in deep financial trouble and the institution was eventually extinguished. But the love, the spirit, the will lived on. They weren’t dead. They were just asleep.
Through a local club (GD Farminhão), Académico de Viseu rose from the ashes with a clear goal in mind: to give back the joy of being on the top shelf of Portuguese football to the city once again. The road ahead was far from easy, having to start in the lowest divisions.
It was only in the 2012/2013 that the Beirões managed to get back into the professional football leagues, in the second tier. The dream was right there, one more step away. But it seemed a dead end had been reached.
In their second season back, Académico had to see their local rivals, Tondela, go up to the Primeira Liga for the first time. Two seasons later, the men in black were almost relegated, saving themselves in a playoff match. The fight against relegation became the “new normal” for Académico’s subsequent seasons… until the ultimate game changer.
German investor Dietmar Hopps hops on board
In 2021, Dietmar Hopp, the major shareholder of the German club Hoffenheim, bought Académico de Viseu’s SAD, creating a unique partnership between the two clubs. It looked like the stars were finally aligned for the Beirões to climb back up.
However, much like a man shall not live of bread alone, a club shall not succeed through money alone. Dietmar was quick to bring in players who were young but had no space in a German club fighting for a place in the Champions League. Soufiane Messeguem, Domen Gril and André Clóvis were some of the names added to the squad thanks to the newfound wealth.
Brazilian striker André Clóvis has been a revelation since joining Academico, scoring 77 goals over four seasons (Photo:academicodeviseu.pt)
But there was something missing. Even though Académico were no longer fighting against relegation, the Estádio do Fontelo only had a handful of supporters. The people were tuned out of the club. The passion, the spirit, the will were still sound asleep. The people were quiet; they needed to feel that passion reflected on the pitch. And this season, Dietmar had an epiphany. A combination of academy youngsters who have been at the club for ages, alongside veteran players that used to play in Viseu, and the players brought in from abroad was the way to go.
Fonseca brings the passion
After a rough start coach Sérgio Vieira was let go and Sérgio Fonseca was brought in, another important piece in the jigsaw to rebuild the spirit that had been missing. Fonseca was a former player for the club, making more than 300 appearances. He became captain and once his playing career was over, he became a coach in Académico’s academy.
The city was brought back to life. And Académico was brought back to the place it belongs. 37 years later. After being extinguished and resuscitated. After playing in the local leagues and the lower national divisions. After fighting against relegation year after year. Viseu is joyful again. Viseu is partying again. Viseu has the Viriathus spirit once again. Viseu is in the top tier.
But this isn’t the end. This is just the beginning of a new era. Viseu is awake and it doesn’t intend to ever go back to sleep.
It’s that time of the year again when we look back at the Portuguese football season as a whole and select our best XI from the Primeira Liga. Chief PortuGOAL football writers Tom Kundert and Matthew Marshall pick their Liga Portugal Team of Season 2025-26.
Tom Kundert’s Liga Portugal Team of Season 2025-26
Goalkeeper: Diogo Costa (Porto)
Back to his best, Diogo Costa was a vital component of Porto’s championship winning team. The Dragons were deserving winners of the league but rarely blew opponents away – 15 of their 28 victories in the Liga Portugal were by a single-goal margin. It was a watertight defence that got them over the line. Costa was not called into action as often as most other goalkeepers in the league, but when he was, he pulled off a number of fantastic saves, in addition to being practically mistake-free all season, not to mention his superb distribution of the ball.
Right-back: Gaizka Larrazabal (Casa Pia)
In a poor season for the Lisbon minnows Spanish right-back Larrazabal maintained the excellent standard he has shown ever since joining Casa Pia three years ago. Seven goals and 4 assists throughout the season exemplify his attacking threat, which is even more impressive given the poor team around him.
Centre-back: Jan Bednarek (Porto)
He did not arrive in Portugal with the best of reputations after some less than convincing performances in England, but the Polish centre-back took to Portuguese football like a duck to water, completely dominating most opposition attacks. Bednarek was key in making Porto’s defence by far the toughest to break down (just 18 goals conceded in 34 Liga matches, six fewer than the next best defence), as well as proving to be an authoritative and inspirational leader.
Centre-back: Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting)
Another fine season for the best ball-playing centre-back in Portugal. With three championship-winning medals to his name and a staple in the Portuguese top flight for half a decade, it’s surprising to think the Seixal-born defender is still only 24 years of age. Should he keep up his current form, definitively locking down a spot in the national team is within his grasp.
Left-back: Maxi Araújo (Sporting)
Displaying a mixture of fierce competitiveness and technical proficiency typical of South American defenders, Maximiliano Araújo has taken his game to new heights this season. A tenacious defender, it is the Uruguayan’s attacking endeavours that has made him stand out (7 goals and 5 assists), along with his ability to always bring his A-game in the big matches.
Midfield: Morten Hjulmand (Sporting)
The Dane has enjoyed three magnificent seasons in Portugal, and has made a huge contribution to Sporting’s success in that time, which includes two league titles and the club’s deepest ever Champions League run. A dominant force in the middle of the park no matter who the opposition, the Sporting captain is expected to leave this summer and he will be tough to replace.
Midfield: Victor Froholdt (Porto)
After a spectacular debut year for Porto, the Dane gets my vote for player of the season. Still a teenager when he signed last summer, Froholdt made himself the key component of an energetic midfield that overwhelmed the majority of teams throughout the title-winning campaign. An indefatigable presence across the pitch, he started brilliantly, had a slight dip in form in the middle of the season, but ended up playing his best football in the closing months of a memorable 2025/26 for the Dragons, adding goals and assists to his game.
Midfielder: Gustavo Sá (Famalicão)
Still just 21 years old, the Famalicão captain continues to burnish his reputation as one of Portugal’s most promising midfielders. Physically imposing, his quick football brain and polished technique mark him out as a special talent, his performance in the 2-2 draw at Estádio do Dragão among the best individual displays by any player in Portugal this season.
Attacking midfielder: Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga)
Zalazar has improved year on year since signing for Braga. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder scored 23 goals and provided 8 assists in 52 matches for the Warriors, making it by far the most productive season of his career. A powerful ball carrier, he is almost impossible to stop when driving towards goal, either centrally or from wide right. Sporting have seen enough, setting a new domestic transfer record of 30 million euros to bring him to Alvalade.
Winger: Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica)
Signed by Benfica as a wonderkid back in 2022, the tricky Norwegian winger found it hard to establish himself at the Estádio da Luz, even spending a season back in Denmark at Nordsjaelland where he had first made his name. This term initially looked set to be another underwhelming one, but under José Mourinho’s guidance Schjelderup finally “exploded”, becoming arguably the most potent attacking force in the league from January onwards, also displaying his prodigious talent in the Champions League. Anatoliy Trubin may have grabbed the headlines but Schjelderup put in a dazzling performance in the famous 4-2 win over Real Madrid.
Striker: Luis Suárez (Sporting)
How do you follow in the footsteps of a striker who scored 97 goals in two seasons? It is no easy feat, but Colombian striker Luis Suárez did a fine job at making sure Sporting fans have not missed Viktor Gyökeres too much. The numbers speak for themselves: 37 goals and 7 assists in 52 games for the Lisbon outfit. But Suárez brought much more to the table than goals and assists, his tireless work rate and clever link-up play a big feature of the Lions under Rui Borges.
***
Matthew Marshall’s Liga Portugal Team of Season 2025-26
Goalkeeper: Diogo Costa (Porto)
Costa anchored Porto to the title by keeping 21 clean sheets and conceding just 15 goals. The captain leads from the back with elite shot-stopping ability and distribution.
Right-back: Rodrigo Pinheiro (Famalicão)
The right-back has been a big improver at Famalicão, one of the reasons they finished fifth and conceded just 29 goals.
Centre-back: Jan Bednarek (Porto)
Bednarek has been the standout centre-back this season, winning six Liga Portugal defender of the month awards. His elite defending was complimented with winning goals against Benfica, Nacional and Alverca.
Centre-back: Jakub Kiwior (Porto)
Porto lost four games this season, three of them with Kiwior on the bench and the fourth when he replaced Bednarek at half-time. Having signed from Arsenal on a deal until June 2030, the partnership with his Polish international will continue to flourish.
Left-back: Maxi Araújo (Sporting)
Araújo contributed to nine goals in Liga Portugal and was a key player in Sporting’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals. Easily the best left-back in Portugal.
Midfielder: Morten Hjulmand (Sporting)
Hjulmand had another strong season in the middle of the park for Sporting. Often lives on the edge but is going to be very hard to replace due to his technical ability, positioning, break up play and leadership.
Midfielder: Victor Froholdt (Porto)
Froholdt wasted no time in improving Porto’s midfield, the Dragons’ two defeats in Liga Portugal coming when he started on the bench. At 20-years-old, expect more improvement from the Dane.
Attacking midfielder: Ricardo Horta (Braga)
Horta was very consistent in a gruelling campaign for Braga, his injury early in the first leg against Freiburg severely hurting their chances in the Europa League semi-finals.
Attacking midfielder: Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga)
Zalazar went on an incredible run of form at the turn of the year before injury saw him limp to the finishing line. Got his big money move to Sporting CP for 30 million euros.
Striker: Luis Suárez (Sporting)
Had big boots to fill after replacing Viktor Gyökeres but did it in style. Scored a Liga Portugal high 28 goals, was a warrior up front and hardly missed a minute to highlight his durability.
Striker: Chuchu Ramírez (Nacional da Madeira)
A curious character, Chuchu Ramírez failed to impress in Guimarães but loves life in Madeira. Scored 18 goals which was 49% for a Nacional side that flirted with relegation, the Venezuelan single handedly keeping them in the division.
The stakes were high in Torres Vedras this afternoon and it showed with both the hosts and the visitors Casa Pia focusing foremost on not making mistakes in the first leg of the promotion-relegation playoff.
The result was a game of few chances and a 0-0 draw, leaving it all down to the second leg in Rio Maior next Thursday 28 May, where Casa Pia will be without Pedro Rosas after the left-back’s red card.
***
Chances few and far between
It was a stodgy first half with little work for either goalkeeper. Torreense midfielder Alejandro Alfaro shot following a counter-attack in the 13th minute from inside the box but his effort lacked power and Patrick Sequeira gathered the ball easily.
The hosts began to gain a slight ascendancy as half time approached, with Javi Vázquez swinging over a couple of wickedly delivered crosses, albeit without leading to direct chances. One can understand why the Spanish defender has accumulated 10 assists this season.
The second half almost started with a bang, Casa Pia striker Cassiano firing over the bar with Torreense goalkeeper Lucas Paes out of position.
Back came the hosts, Dany Jean forcing Sequeira into a sharp reaction save to tip his fierce shot over the bar in the 57th minute.
Both teams appeared more proactive than in the first half but chances continued to be a scarce commodity.
Glaring miss, red card!
A flurry of action in the 72nd minute got the fans off their feet. Dailon Livramento seemed certain to score for Casa Pia after superb work by Gaizka Larrazabal, but the substitute did not get enough power on his header from practically under the bar and the diving Paes made a sprawling save.
In the subsequent scramble Rosas hacked down Guilherme Liberato with a dangerous tackle and received a straight red card after a VAR review.
Casa Pia, from looking certain to take the lead, were now facing the prospect of playing the last 15 minutes a man down.
Curiously, the visitors had a good chance to take the lead almost immediately, but the hapless Livramento again fluffed his lines, trying to round the goalkeeper when one-on-one but slipping and seeing the opportunity pass by.
Truth be told, Torreense were unable to make their man advantage tell, a Léo Azevedo effort from a tight angle that flew wide their only sniff of goal.
Casa Pia prepare for second leg, Torreense prepare for Cup final
The game proved both teams are evenly matched and it would be brave man to predict who will come out top next week.
It was the first of three crunch games for Torreense to round off what has been a memorable season. Before the second leg to determine if they will return to the top flight for the first time since 1992, they will lock horns with Sporting in the Portuguese Cup final on Sunday at Jamor.
Hidemasa Morita in action for Sporting against Arsenal in this season’s Champions League quarter-final. (Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
‘Saudade’ is the Portuguese word that cannot be translated, but ask any Sportinguista, and they’ll tell you that it’s what they’ll feel towards Hidemasa Morita.
The word describes a profound feeling of longing or yearning. The Japanese midfielder has it tattooed on his arm, and it seems appropriate as he departs the Estádio José Alvalade.
Sporting Clube de Portugal secured second place and Champions League football against Gil Vicente with Morita as one of the main protagonists, coming into a rich vein of form in this latter stage of the league campaign.
The 31-year-old midfielder contributed to this ferocious strike from Luis Javier Suárez with an exquisite touch of class.
PortuGOAL honours Hidemasa Morita as its Figure of the Week in his final Liga Portugal appearance after five years in the division. Kevin Fernandes reports.
From Osaka to Lisbon via the Azores
Born in the prefecture of Osaka, Morita’s hometown of Takasuki witnessed the talent of Hidemasa before reaching university football (similarly to the United States, highly respected and revered).
His efforts at Ryutsu Keizai warranted a move to the top level of Japanese football for J-League juggernauts Kawasaki Frontale. From humble beginnings to the prestige and pride of Japan.
Morita made his debut in the 2018 Japanese Super Cup, a competition he would win a year later along with the League Cup. As a rookie, he would cement himself in the first-team fold, making 26 appearances on the way to his first J-League title. He repeated the feat in 2020, where he would depart as he arrived, with the bonuses of being named in the Best XI of Japan’s First Division and the conquest of the 2020 edition of the Emperor’s Cup.
Morita would then embark on the well-trodden Japan to Europe path taken by more and more promising Nipponic talents, as Azorean giants Santa Clara brought the midfielder to the archipelago.
Imagine the Estádio de São Miguel filled with Santa Clara fans, anxious to finally see their new signing in action, and that very same player scores an 89th-minute winner to clinch a 2-1 victory against Rio Ave in what can only be considered a dream debut for any outfield player.
Hidemasa Morita introduced himself to Portuguese football in emphatic fashion: A 6th-place finish, the highest in the club’s history and Europa Conference League football, as well as securing seventh in the following season.
Santa Clara parted ways with Morita in exchange for a mere €3.45 million – a fee that would prove to be an absolute bargain from Sporting’s perspective.
Ruben Amorim’s saviour
As Matheus Nunes left for Manchester City in 2022 (and in somewhat abrupt fashion before an important Clássico with FC Porto), Morita stepped up to replace the Portuguese international, stabilising the Sporting midfield with signature class. Since then, Morita has made the No8 position his own.
Former Manchester United head coach Amorim once said in a press conference: “I think every manager should train at least one Japanese player. A player who is always ready to help the team, apologises one thousand times a day, is very respectful, will play anywhere and just wants to learn. I only have good things to say about Hidemasa Morita.”
Hidemasa’s efforts often go unnoticed due to his understated style both on and off the pitch. No outstanding individual qualities steal headlines, but an elegant well-roundedness brings balance to proceedings.
165 (166 including the upcoming Portuguese Cup final) appearances and 3 trophies (2 Liga Portugal titles and one Taça de Portugal, possibly two) later, Morita will be remembered as a cult hero and the personification of reliability, and understated elegance.
Sporting will certainly be offering a heartfelt Arigatō to the latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week, and if you’re ever in Japan, be sure to visit to eat a Pastel de Nata at the store he intends to open in the future.
The worst kept secret in football was all but confirmed this morning. José Mourinho’s departure from Benfica to return to Real Madrid has been widely reported as a done deal, not least by the usually reliable Fabrizio Romano.
🚨 BREAKING: José Mourinho back to Real Madrid, HERE WE GO! 💣🤍
All terms have been verbally agreed between José Mourinho and Real Madrid, waiting to sign all documents.
Plan for initial two year deal, JM to travel to Madrid after Real-Bilbao game.
Portugal’s most successful ever coach could not bring the good times back to the Estádio da Luz in his second spell at the club.
Despite going through the entire Primeira Liga season unbeaten, Benfica finished third and therefore miss out on Champions League qualification for the first time in 17 years. With neither of the domestic cups won and failure to reach the knockout phase of the Champions League, it has to go down as a hugely disappointing campaign for the Lisbon giants.
President Rui Costa is under intense pressure, having delivered just one league title in five years since taking control of the club.
As well as recruiting the next coach, Costa and his administration will likely require an overhaul of the squad ahead of next season.
“Coluna Vermelha” is an excellent X account on all things Benfica, and last week he posted an analysis of which players are likely to depart the club over the summer. With kind permission, PortuGOAL reproduces a translated copy of his thoughts here.
Players who very probably will play their last game for Benfica against Estoril:
Anatoliy Trubin (goalkeeper)
I’m not going to waste too much time. I think Trubin is better than some Benfiquistas think he is, but it is also evident that he was expected to develop more than he has developed. He ends his contract in 2028. I wouldn’t renew it now. He’s going to be on the market in the summer, and someone will want to buy him.
Alexander Bah (right-back)
We are not yet certain of Benfica’s plan in relation to Daniel Banjaqui [academy right-back], but playing the Europa League will make it easier to put him in the first team, and given the need to exchange expensive contracts for cheaper players, this will be an easy decision.
Nicolas Otamendi (centre-back)
38 years old. Several mistakes throughout the season. An obvious lack of speed. I think this will be the captain’s last game. I don’t think Benfica will manage to sign a centre-back of António Silva’s quality at the price he could be sold for. I believe they will try to renew his contract again in the next few months.
[Note: Otamendi’s departure was subsequently confirmed]
Given the more than probable departure of José Mourinho, the list of departures may change. But I believe Benfica will be in the market for a midfielder similar to Fredrik Aursnes, and if they do sign one then at least two players will be leaving. Leandro Barreiro seems the most consensual at the moment. Richard Ríos has more market. Enzo Barrenechea and Manu Silva seem to be two more obvious departures. The new coach will have an influence on the decision.
Bruma (winger)
He never really earned his place in the side and now, after his injuries, I don’t believe Bruma will be here next year. I believe some may have expected me to put Sidny Cabral here, and probably they would be right, but with the Europa League, I think Sidny Cabral is an excellent player as a back-up for several positions.
Andreas Schjelderup (winger)
I write this with heavy heart because I think he would be the best player in the Portuguese league next season if he stayed. But with Benfica desperate to generate revenue through sales, Schjelderup is the player that can bring in the most money immediately and his contract has still not been renewed. I think he’ll be sold, and I think he’ll be sold at below his proper price.
Vangelis Pavlidis or Franjo Ivanovic (strikers)
Pavlidis will have a market and Benfica needs to sell. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was him who ends up leaving. But the most likely in my opinion is Franjo Ivanovic.
An endless list of players who have played for the first team but never really counted:
Joshua Wynder, Diogo Prioste/João Veloso, Nuno Félix, João Rego and Henrique Araújo. It depends on who the coach will be, but I think Diogo Prioste or João Veloso could stay as the fifth central midfielder of the first team. Rafael Luís could be an option here too. The rest will leave, and some will leave on a permanent basis.
Our thanks to Coluna Vermelha. Be sure to bookmark the account to stay up to date with the latest news and views concerning Benfica. Here is the original text.
Jogadores que muito provavelmente estarão hoje pela última vez num jogo do Benfica:
- Anatoliy Trubin Não vou perder muito tempo. Acho que o Trubin é melhor do que alguns Benfiquistas acham, mas também é visível que seria de esperar que evoluísse mais do que evoluiu. Termina… pic.twitter.com/nvE16xGBf3
The LPFP (Portuguese Professional Football League) yesterday confirmed the quarter-final lineup for next season’s Taça da Liga – the Portuguese League Cup.
The competition has been reformatted, yet again, with the group stage discarded and the tournament starting at the quarter-final stage. The participants will be the teams that finished in the top six positions in the Primeira Liga plus the winners and runners-up of the Second Division.
It is another example of how a potentially interesting competition has been badly mismanaged, with a constantly changing format, to the extent that many football fans in Portugal do not take it seriously.
The Portuguese football authorities have made it increasingly clear that they have done everything in their power to ensure the country’s four biggest clubs, Benfica, Porto, Sporting and Braga, make it to the semi-finals.
Ironically, arguably the two most memorable editions of the competition resulted in this year’s triumph for Vitória in a fantastic all-Minho final, and the shock win for Moreirense in 2017.
One set of fans will be excited at taking part in the competition though. Académico de Viseu yesterday won promotion back to the top flight after a 37-year absence from Portugal’s elite. The club from central Portugal will play champions Porto in their quarter-final tie.
The twentieth edition of the competition is scheduled to kick off on 27 October.
Reformat on the cards again for 2027/28 season
The format for the Taça da Liga next season will be a one-off, with a new model already in place for the following campaign.
From 2027/28 onwards, the competition will be open to all clubs in the top two divisions, like in its initial years, but Portugal’s six participants in European competitions will get a bye into the quarter-finals. In other words, the other 30 clubs will fight it out for two quarter-final berths.
The thinking behind the latest format is to enable all clubs in the top two divisions to participate in the Taça da Liga while avoiding fixture overload for Portuguese teams involved in UEFA competitions.
On a night of goodbyes in Lisbon, Sporting qualified for next season’s Champions League thanks to a 3-0 victory over Gil Vicente to clinch the runners-up spot in the 2025/26 Liga Portugal.
It was officially Hidemasa Morita’s and Geovany Quenda’s final game at Alvalade, with captain Morten Hjulmand also likely to have played his last match at the stadium – at least in representation of the home team.
A sparkling first-half display saw the Lions build a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break thanks to strikes from Eduardo Quaresma and Luis Suárez, before fittingly Hjulmand topped off a satisfactory evening with a third goal in stoppage time.
Hjulmand went close in the early exchanges, but the home fans did not have to wait long to celebrate, Eduardo Quaresma expertly heading in Pedro Gonçalves’ pinpoint corner.
It was one-way traffic and Hjulmand and Pote both went close before Sporting doubled their lead in the 34th minute, the inevitable Luis Suárez rifling a powerful finish into the net from a Morita pass.
Gil Vicente finally managed an effort at goal shortly before the break, Luís Esteves seeing his shot turned around the post by Rui Silva.
The same two protagonists were at it again at the start of the second half, a snap-shot by Esteves forcing Silva into a sharp save.
That moment of danger signalled a change in the pattern of the match, with Gil looking far more threatening in the second half. Murilo headed over and the Brazilian striker then tried his luck from a free kick but his shot flew well over the bar.
Play switched to the other end, with Francisco Trincão drawing an excellent diving save out of Dani Figueira.
The game was drifting towards the final whistle without much happening, until Hjulmand put the cherry on the cake by scoring with a well-placed cross-shot from practically the last kick of the game.
The Dane is expected to leave Sporting his summer, and it was the perfect way for Hjulmand to take his leave of the supporters at Alvalade after three years of magnificent service for the Lions.
Benfica cruised to a 3-1 victory in Estoril to earn the unenviable record of going undefeated in Liga Portugal and finishing third.
It was an electric start at Estádio António Coimbra da Mota with chances at both ends. The Eagles went ahead in the 7th minute when Andreas Schjelderup’s deflected cross was converted by Richard Ríos.
Gianluca Prestianni was denied by a sharp save from Joel Robles but the advantage was extended in the 15th minute. Ríos’ corner was headed to the back post by Tomás Araújo, Estoril’s defence caught asleep once again with Alexander Bah taking advantage.
The contest was all but ended a minute later. Bah and Prestianni combined to find Rafa Silva who stepped past an invisible challenge from João Carvalho and beat Robles.
Rios tested the goalkeeper before the break and Rafa's header turned away by Robles 15 seconds after the restart.
Pizzi, who recently announced this would be his final match, received a guard of honour when he was replaced by Rafik Guitane.
Gonçalo Costa and Yanis Begraoui went close as Benfica threatened to extend their lead. Dodi Lukébakio’s shot was deflected wide by Felix Bacher, Araújo headed wide and Ríos’ effort was cleared off the line by Kévin Boma.
Peixinho netted a consolation in added time but it was too little too late from Ian Cathro’s side, the Canaries finishing 10th in Liga Portugal despite having the 5th best attack.
Farewell Pizzi
There was a touching tribute for Pizzi after the match with family, friends and former players leaving messages on the big screen. The boy from Bragança won four Liga titles with Benfica and was top scorer in 2019/20 with 18 goals.
He way a joy to watch for the Eagles, consistently their best player and instrumental in helping Benfica win 11 titles in six seasons.
He was also in the Atlético de Madrid team that won the 2011/12 Europa League and represented Portugal on 17 occasions.
Estoril have been excitement machines this season, Liga Portugal games involving the Canaries averaging 3.77 goals, narrowly behind Sporting CP.
Ian Cathro’s side have had few problems scoring goals but their defence continually gets carved up, conceding 57 goals in 34 games.
It remains to be seen how much patience the heirarchy have with the Scottish manager and how much money they are willing spend in the transfer window. Yanis Begraoui will surely bring in some cash after bagging 20 goals in the Liga, third behind Luis Suarez and Vangelis Pavlidis.
Benfica look ahead
Benfica will have work to do in the transfer window, replacing Nicolás Otamendi the main priority. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Georgiy Sudakov and Franjo Ivanović who haven’t justified their hefty transfer fees.
Most of the narratives will surround José Mourinho who has been strongly linked with a return to Real Madrid. He was a chance to replace Roberto Martinez as Portugal boss after the World Cup, but turning down Los Blancos is something very few can do.
After the match he said: "The only thing I have in hand is the offer from Benfica, which I haven't seen, but Jorge Mendes says it's a very good offer. But it's also true that I haven't spoken to anyone from Real Madrid.
"But nobody's stupid, and obviously, between Real and Jorge, I think there have been contacts that could turn into contacts with me during the next week. Then I should decide my future.""
FC Porto were crowned champions of Portugal a fortnight ago, but plenty more is yet to decide, with the distribution of European places and who will get relegated having gone down to the last day of the season.
The Primeira Liga matches today are staggered into three blocks according to what's at stake.
3.30 pm - Dead rubbers
Porto v Santa Clara
Moreirense v AFS
6.00 pm - Relegation battle
Arouca v Tondela
Casa Pia v Rio Ave
Nacional v Vitória
Braga v Estrela da Amadora
AFS are relegated, but the other automatic relegation spot (17th) and the relegation/promotion playoff place (16th) are yet to be decided. Tondela currently occupy the relegation place but they have suddenly hit form (a shock 2-2 draw at Sporting followed by two successive wins) and have a chance of saving themselves. Casa Pia, Estrela da Amadora and Nacional are all fighting to avoid relegation with just three points separating the four teams battling to beat the drop.
8.30 pm - European places
Estoril v Benfica
Sporting v Gil Vicente
Famalicão v Alverca
The team finishing second will have Champions League football next season, either going directly into the league phase or into qualifying depending on other results across Europe. At the moment Sporting are second. Benfica can overtake Sporting if they beat Estoril and Sporting don't beat Gil Vicente. Any other combination of results and Sporting will finish second.
The team finishing in fifth place will go into the UEFA Conference League. As it stands, that is Famalicão. The only way this can change is if Famalicão lose at home to Alverca and Gil Vicente beat Sporting at Alvalade.
Roni Moura celebrates scoring against FC Porto (Photo:AVS Futebol SAD)
Without the weight of expectation against the hungover champions, Portugal was shocked by the most improbable scoreline of the season last weekend.
AVS Futebol SAD (abbreviated to AFS) were mathematically condemned to Liga Portugal 2 in Matchday 30 after winning just one match – the worst record of any Liga Portugal side in 92 seasons of the current league structure.
Curiously, Desportivo das Aves had previously held the record for six years. A far cry from when the defunct entity famously beat Sporting Clube de Portugal in the 2017/18 edition of the Taça de Portugal, importantly with no relation to the newly formed club also based in Vila das Aves (known as the ‘Portuguese MK Dons’ after a separation and relocation of the UD Vilafranquense entity).
Without the weight of expectation for what remained of their disastrous league campaign, and against the hungover champions, the country was shocked by the most improbable scoreline of the season.
The star of the show? Roni Moura.
The 27-year-old midfielder bagged a brace, with an especially exquisite second strike leaving Cláudio Ramos scrambling.
To honour the fallen soldiers of Liga Portugal ahead of an exciting final game week with plenty left to decide at both ends of the table, PortuGOAL’s latest Figure of the Week is awarded to an AVS player. If you’re surprised to read this, I’m equally as surprised to write it. Kevin Fernandes reports.
From São Paulo to Santo Tirso
Roni Medeiros de Moura was born in São Paulo, commencing his footballing journey as a five-year old at Brazilian giants Corinthians and representing the Timão for 20 years.
After achieving relative success at youth level, even winning silverware along the way, Roni made his senior debut for Corinthians in 2020, scoring on his debut and dedicating the goal to his brother Tupã, who had tragically died playing grassroots football.
Tupã was forced to retire upon discovering a heart condition, but his love of the game could never prevent him from playing. Roni revealed that he had promised Tupã in hospital that he would become a professional football and take care of their family. With an incredible strike, 19-year-old Roni kept his promise and announced himself to Brazilian football.
The story of Roni is one of immense hardship and struggle, as despite making over 100 appearances for Corinthians and for various reasons, it became increasingly difficult to follow that debut performance.
The pressures of the professional game
In 2025 and after a loan spell at Atlético Goianiense, Roni faced Corinthians as a Mirassol player, recounting: “The fans have always supported me. There was a difficult period when I suffered a lot. I couldn’t even sleep properly and was heavily criticised, but I’ve also had some really good times. The fans have always given me strength during the tough times, and I’ve had some happy moments here too.”
After receiving limited minutes for the Brasileirão revelation side of 2025, Roni left his beloved São Paulo and headed to the other side of the Atlantic to the Portuguese municipality of Santo Tirso, as AVS paid over 700 thousand euros for his services in January, despite relegation seeming inevitable.
Rugged Roni
The hard-working midfielder has helped to revolutionise AVS. For the overwhelming majority of the season, the team were disorganised, disjointed and overly dependent on lacklustre and overambitious individualised transitional play.
With Roni playing as a deep-lying organiser, AVS look more capable and controlled in possession while the ball-winners energy importantly secures João Henriques’ side defensively.
Players like Roni Moura make teams harder to beat, while also demonstrating that mentality is vital to succeed in this cut-throat world (not limited to football).
Kudos to the latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week as success may await him in Liga Portugal 2.
All the signs point to José Mourinho ending his second spell at Benfica after the final match of the season at Estoril this coming weekend.
News about a possible return to Real Madrid has dominated the football agenda in both Portugal and Spain over the past few days, and Mourinho’s post-match press conference after Benfica’s 2-2 draw against Braga on Monday only added to the feeling his time at the Estádio da Luz was up.
“It’s a squad I had a lot of fun with,” said Mourinho. “I always went to training happy to be with them, and I always left training happy with the work we had done. It’s a good group of men.”
Before the Braga match, PortuGOAL carried out an informal vox pop with fans at the stadium, asking Benfiquistas what they would like to happen, and they thought would happen in relation to Portugal’s most successful ever coach and the Lisbon giants. Listen to and read a variety of opinions about the hot topic in Portuguese football.
Gonçalo: “I’d like him to stay for another year to be honest, but I think he’ll leave, his mind is elsewhere”
PortuGOAL: “José Mourinho? Do you think he’s leaving or staying?”
Gonçalo: “I think he’ll leave. I think he’s already with his mind elsewhere. I think he’ll try everything to get Benfica into the Champions League, then he’ll go on his way. His mind is in Real Madrid.”
PortuGOAL: “Do you think he’s done a good job here at Benfica?”
Gonçalo: “I think so, yes. I’d like him to stay for another year to be honest. Benfica need a coach like José Mourinho, a world class coach, and I’m sorry he’s going to leave. At least I believe he’ll leave.”
PortuGOAL: “If he leaves, who would you like next?”
Gonçalo: “It has to be a coach with a project. Marco Silva is a good option. Ruben Amorim is also a good option. I’d like either of these two.”
Ricardo: “The new coach? Between Marco Silva, Ruben Amorim and César Peixoto”
PortuGOAL: “Mourinho. Do you think he’s leaving or staying?”
Alfredo: “I think he’ll leave.”
PortuGOAL: “Who would you like as the next coach?”
Alfredo: “I agree with my friend. If I could choose I’d choose Ruben Amorim, because I think he’s a coach who would wear the team’s colours. He would be my choice.”
PortuGOAL: “Are all those years at Sporting a problem?!”
Alfredo: “He’ll do to Sporting what he did to Benfica, he’d be welcome.”
Duarte: “I don’t want Mourinho to stay, but I think he will”
PortuGOAL: “Do you think José Mourinho will stay or leave Benfica?”
Pedro: “I’d like him to stay.”
PortuGOAL: “You’d like him to stay, but do you think that will happen or not?”
Pedro: “It’s difficult. When Real Madrid are after him, it’s difficult to fight it.”
PortuGOAL: “Do you think he’s done a good job?”
Pedro: “In my opinion he’s done the job that was possible for a team that was not built by him.”
PortuGOAL: “So if he had another season, would it be different?”
Pedro: “In my opinion he’d have to do another season and then we can judge him better, but a full season.”
***
PortuGOAL: “Would you like José Mourinho to stay or leave?”
David: “Would I like him to stay? If it was up to me maybe Mourinho wouldn’t even have come in the first place. But maybe he deserves a second chance to do his job. But, like Pedro said, I think it’s very unlikely that he’ll stay.”
***
Paulo: “I’d like Mourinho to continue, I’d like him to do the job right from the start, with the players chosen by him, and with a pre-season planned by him. I think that could bring Benfica good results, both at domestic and international level. I’m not talking about winning the Champions League, but we’d have a chance to put in a good performance on the international stage.”
PortuGOAL: “There was a period in the season when it seemed things were clicking… that game against Real Madrid. And Benfica haven’t lost yet…”
Paulo: “In the league Benfica haven’t lost, and then there have been factors outside of football, the refereeing hasn’t been very good in Benfica’s games, which has harmed Benfica too. But yes, I think Mourinho deserves to start the season, but there you go. When competing against Real Madrid there is no chance.”
The 2025/26 season is about to end, but Benfica president Rui Costa will not be thinking about relaxing. His decisions in the coming days will have a huge bearing on the club’s immediate future, and possibly his own position at the helm of Portugal’s largest club.
Pending a medical today, Sporting have broken the domestic transfer record in Portugal to buy Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar from Braga. The €30 million signing is the highest transfer fee ever paid between two Portuguese clubs.
In a related deal, Braga will purchase Sporting right-back Diogo Travassos for €5.5 million.
Rodrigo Zalazar has been a huge hit at Braga since signing in 2023 (Photo: Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
Zalazar has been subject to transfer speculation for several weeks following a brilliant season for the Warriors, with Benfica reported to be interested in bringing him to Lisbon, but instead he will play in the green and white of city rivals Sporting.
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder has scored 23 goals and provided 8 assists in 52 matches for Braga in 2025/26, making it by far the most productive season of his career.
Zalazar was born in Spain but has Uruguayan nationality, with both of his parents hailing from the South America country. His father José Zalazar was also a footballer, playing 29 times for the full Uruguay national team.
Rodrigo Zalazar began his senior career in Poland and Germany, with Braga paying just €6 million to Schalke 04 for his signature in the summer of 2023.
The purchase is likely to be the first of several made by Sporting this summer with a rebuild necessary, especially in midfield given the expected departure of captain Morten Hjulmand and Japanese teammate Hidemasa Morita, who has come to the end of his contract.
Travassos rewarded for impressive loan spells
While most Sporting fans will be excited by the capture of Zalazar, the sale of promising right-back Diogo Travassos is less consensual.
The Portugal U21 international enjoyed a fine debut season as a full professional for Estrela da Amadora last year, and has impressed even more at Moreirense this term.
An extremely attacking full-back, Travassos has scored 7 goals in 34 matches for Moreirense and is a big reason the modest northern club has enjoyed a fine season, free from any relegation worries.
Braga will pay five and half million euros for the 22-year-old, plus €1 million in potential add-ons.
Sporting CP have reclaimed second position in Liga Portugal following an entertaining 4-1 victory against Rio Ave.
Tamble Monteiro headed wide early on in Barcelos but Rio Ave persisted and took the lead in the 12th minute. Luis Guilherme lost the ball which saw Monteiro break clear and release Diogo Bezerra who steered the ball past Rui Silva.
Francisco Petrasso was fortunate to avoid a penalty after a his forearm caught Luis Suárez in the head. The striker was bleeding but wouldn’t have to wait long to exact some revenge.
Suárez got past Petrasso on the halfway line and surged into the box where he was dragged down by the centre-back. Referee João Gonçalves issued a yellow card and pointed to the penalty spot where Suárez sent Cezary Miszta the wrong way.
Sporting took the lead before the break and didn’t have to do anything to earn it. Gustavo Mancha’s back pass evaded Miszta and rolled into the net, a comical own goal.
Rio Ave went close in added time with Monteiro forcing a save from Silva, Eduardo Quaresma diverting a dangerous cross wide and Dario Spikic firing into the side netting.
The hosts’ chances were dealt a big blow in the 52nd minute when the final chapter of the Petrazzo vs Suárez sideshow. The Argentine went in late on his nemesis and Gonçalves showed no hesitation in producing a second booking.
Rui Borges introduced Geny Catamo and Geovany Quenda in the 65th minute and the Lions made it 3-1 less than 60 seconds later. Trincão cut inside from the right wing, got past Ryan Guilherme and sent a sweet strike into the bottom corner.
Guilherme picked up two bookings in the space of two minutes to reduce Rio Ave to 9 men, the second yellow a harsh call.
Sporting put the icing on the cake in the 90th minute, Maxi Araújo sending Quenda through on goal where he sent a powerful shot past Miszta.
It was a vital victory for Sporting who reclaimed second spot on the table following Benfica’s 2-2 draw against Braga. The Lions host Gil Vicente on the final matchday, José Mourinho’s side travelling to Estoril.
Benfica’s final home match of the season ended in disappointment as Braga held them to what could be a costly 2-2 draw.
As a consequence city rivals Sporting overtake the Eagles and move into second place – the last position with a ticket to Champions League football next season – and the point is enough for Braga to guarantee a 4th-place finish.
Benfica made most of the running in a one-sided first half but had to wait until after the break to take the lead, Rafa Silva turning in Gianluca Prestianni’s cross after a quick breakaway. Braga hit back immediately, the ever-impressive Pau Victor heading in a Victor Gómez cross.
The hosts continued to surge forward propelled by the electric Andreas Schjelderup, chances came and went, but it was Braga who stunned the home crowd when Gorby Baptiste curled a brilliant 25-yarder into the corner of the net late on.
There was still time for Benfica to pull a goal back from the penalty spot in stoppage time, Pavlidis converting emphatically after Schjelderup had been felled in the box, but a draw felt like a defeat for home team and their fans. Sahir Bhojwani and Tom Kundert report from the Estádio da Luz.
Benfica started the stronger of the two sides early on. Their attackers connected and created some good opportunities, threatening in the first five minutes. In the 3rd minute, they even had the ball in the net following a corner. Ivanovic thought he had put his team ahead before the goal was called back for a 4cm offside.
The first chance for Braga came in the 15th minute with a curler that sailed past the right post from Gabri Martínez
Seconds later, the home supporters were treated to a brilliant piece of skill by Schjelderup to evade three defenders. The Norwegian scooped a teasing ball into the box, and at one point, it looked like it had been handled by a desperate Leonardo Lelo as he managed to just about clear the danger.
Rafa then forced a fantastic save from Lukáš Horníček, with the keeper stretching to palm away a shot that looked destined for the bottom left corner.
As the seconds wound down toward the halftime whistle, Leandro Barreiro had time to compose himself and head towards goal, but Hornicek was well-positioned to gather the ball.
Hosts start to feel the pressure
At the interval, Mourinho would’ve known that his team were trailing Sporting after the Lions had gone into the break with a 2-1 lead over Rio Ave. The Eagles went on the attack right off the bat and were able to capitalise after some sloppy Braga play.
Prestianni came up with the assist this time after an uncharacteristic mistake from experienced Portuguese midfielder Moutinho, who gave the ball away carelessly. Rafa caught the ball in his stride, and it was a simple tap-in for the attacker. It had taken less than 30 seconds in the second half for Benfica to break through following the whistle.
However, Pau Victor responded almost instantly for the visitors with a beautifully timed header in the 47th minute. Braga’s record signing showed his power and precision in the box. The former La Masia star was able to connect with a looping cross from Víctor Gómez to head in the equaliser.
In the 54th minute it was Fredrik Aursnes knocking on the door, a low shot from the Norwegian producing a quality save from Hornicek.
While Benfica pushed forward, Braga did everything they could to retain a valuable point. The cards start to fly out with Horníček and Lelo within a couple of minutes picking up yellows.
The chances for Benfica continued to flow. Prestianni and Araújo both had good opportunities before the 60-minute mark.
Pavlidis goal chalked off
With 30 minutes remaining, Mourinho turned to his secret weapon. Pavlidis, a player who has led the Eagles in goals over the last two seasons, was thrown on to get that all-important winner. Within three minutes, the imposing striker had the ball in the net after meeting a low pass from Schjelderup. The goal led to wild celebrations at the Luz, a celebration that was short-lived. After a review, it became clear the ball had rolled out of play before Schjelderup’s cross.
Schjelderup has turned into Benfica’s key attacking player in the course of the campaign, and the young winger continued to pester the Braga defenders as the match progressed.
A corner in the 84th minute almost produced one of the unlikeliest of heroes, with António Silva’s header sailing just wide. A glorious opportunity for the 22-year-old defender to give his club that crucial second goal.
Just when it seemed that Benfica were on the verge of edging this contest, the tide turned. In the 88th minute, it was Gorby who provided an exquisite finish to give the visitors a surprising lead. An unstoppable right-footed shot from the youngster that, if we are being honest, no keeper in the world would have had a chance of saving.
Benfica then took it up a notch. They produced very little in the way of chances on goal, but when Schjelderup’s left foot was stepped on in the box, the referee awarded a late penalty to give the home supporters a glimmer of hope. Pavlidis once again stepped up to smash home from the spot, levelling the match with a few minutes still remaining.
Benfica’s second goal, though, was too little too late. In the end, the point does little for Mourinho’s men, who now face an uphill battle to catch rivals Sporting on the final day. Only if Benfica win at Estoril and Sporting fail to beat Gil Vicente at home will the Eagles reclaim second place. Any other combination of results and Sporting will be runners-up to Porto.
Porto suffered their second defeat in Liga Portugal after a surprise 3-1 loss in Vila das Aves.
Francesco Farioli's side piled on the pressure but it was AFS who went ahead in the 23rd minute. A corner wasn’t cleared, the ball falling to Roni Moura who fired through traffic.
The equaliser came in the 53rd minute when Dominik Prpić released Borja Sainz, the Spaniards' cross picking out Deniz Gül who couldn’t miss from a yard out.
The hosts regained the lead just five minutes later. Francisco Moura’s loose pass was picked off by AFS who poured forward, Roni sending a superb strike that swerved away from Cláudio Ramos who couldn’t prevent the ball from nestling in the net.
Porto should have equalised on two occasions, Gül and Alberto Costa heading crosses straight at Adriel Ramos. Gül was offside when assisting William Gomes as torrential rain and driving wind made conditions difficult.
The hosts went close when Diego Duarte hit the post but AFS were rewarded in the 80th minute. Tunde Akinsola sent a long free kick into the box where Ramos was caught in no man’s land, Aderllan Santos taking advantage by heading the ball into the net.
Prpić received a second booking in added time to sum up the contest. Porto conceded three goals for just the second time this season, the first coming in a 3-1 defeat against Vitória de Guimarães in the League Cup semi-finals.
The supporters in Vila das Aves will be wondering where their team has been all season. The relegated club have gone five games unbeaten including a 1-1 draw against Sporting CP, the victory over Porto just their third in a miserable campaign.
Francesco Farioli made wholesale changes after his side claimed the Liga Portugal title last weekend. Porto still created plenty of opportunities, ending with 69% possession, 20-9 shots and 3.06-0.75 xG.
In Gameweek 32, as Porto were crowned champions, Benfica gave arch-rivals Sporting a glimmer of hope in the heated pursuit for second place and potentially, presence in the next edition of the UEFA Champions League.
In a vintage performance for Rui Borges’ men (with plenty of technical ability on display for multiple goals), is it too little, too late after dropping points to relegated AFS and relegation threatened Tondela?
Invincible Benfica were held to their tenth stalemate of the season as the likes of Daniel Bragança shone, as Sporting looked invigorated without the weight of expectation and the physical demands of two matches per week.
Nothing can overshadow Daniel Bragança who has managed to recover from another ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament, this time in his left knee.
This is the story of how the latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week overcame career defining difficulties. Kevin Fernandes reports.
Made in Santarém, Destined for Sporting
From the parish of Fazendas de Almeirim in the Santarém, Daniel Santos Bragança started his footballing journey at curiously named local side Footkart Escola Futebol Karting Associação.
Born in 1999, Daniel Bragança has represented Sporting Clube de Portugal since 2007. Most of his life has been spent in green and white, from a boy to adulthood.
At youth level, Bragança won two league titles (U-17 and U-19) and was quickly recognised as a top talent, immediately catching the eye of spectators as he operated in midfield with a characteristic elegant grace and supreme technical ability,
Loan spells at Estoril Praia and Farense confirmed that Bragança could dictate play with his nonchalant, refined style at senior level.
The trials and tribulations in the top-flight
In declarations for Sporting TV upon reaching 150 senior matches for the Lions, Daniel Bragança said: “Above all, it’s a feeling of pride. I’d already reached the 100-game milestone, and now I’ve hit the 150-game mark. For me, it’s a feeling of pride to represent Sporting CP, as always. It’s something I’ll remember forever.”
From injuries to winning six trophies (including three Liga Portugal titles) to captaining the club he carries in his heart, Daniel Bragança has experienced it all at Sporting.
However, since being integrated into the first team in 2020, Bragança has only played 4059 minutes of Liga Portugal football. That is the equivalent to approximately 45 full matches across six years.
Despite all his talent, Bragança has never been an undisputed starter for Sporting. Ruben Amorim preferred the likes of Matheus Nunes to his low tempo dictator, while Rui Borges often masks the out-of-possession limitations of Bragança by placing the technician as a recognised No10.
This season Bragança has shown a goal touch like never before, netting 6 times in his 22 appearances since returning from his second ACL injury at the start of the calendar year. It should be noted those 22 appearances equate to just 719 minutes.
Daniel, the maestro
Bragança was never the fastest, strongest in duels and has never been brilliant when asked to defend in an organised block, but he comes into his own when his magical left-foot receives the ball.
Elite close control, incisive passing and clinical box-crashing ability defines Bragança, who made his name as a deep-lying playmaker in his early career.
As a No8 or as a No10, as a squad player for ‘Os Leões’ or as a starter elsewhere – the latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week guarantees magic and is the archetype of an aesthetically pleasing player we love to watch.
Braga’s Europa League campaign has ended in the semi-finals after a 3-1 defeat in Freiburg. Hopes were high following a 2-1 first leg victory at the Quarry, but it was an uphill battle in the Black Forest due to an early dismissal.
Igor Matanovic did well to turn and release Jan-Niklas Beste who charged towards the box, Mario Dorgeles barging into the winger which saw referee Davide Massa produce a straight red card in the 6th minute.
The German club piled on the pressure and opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Braga failed to clear Vincenzo Grifo's cross which was pounced on by Lukas Kübler, he lost control but managed to deflect Jean-Baptiste Gorby’s clearance off the inside of the post and over the line.
Johan Manzambi shot straight at Lukas Hornicek but he would make no mistake in the 41st minute. Given time and space outside the area, the 20-year-old curled a sweet strike into the net that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
Braga went close to squaring the tie in added time, Pau Victor picking out Víctor Gómez who went around Noah Atubolu and hit the post. The rebound fell to Rodrigo Zalazar who couldn't take advantage.
The half-time whistle came at a bad time for the visitors as Freiburg started the second half on fire. Grifo hit the post, Matthias Ginter went close, Manzambi forced a fine save from Hornicek and Grifo curled an effort wide.
Braga weathered the storm and had another opportunity to score. Victor was the architect once again, sending Gorby through where the midfielder hit a tame effort straight at Atubolu.
Manzambi went close again as Carlos Vicens went to his bench for the first time, bringing on Gabriel Moscardo and Fran Navarro for Vitor Carvalho and Zalazar.
João Moutinho’s shot was deflected narrowly wide by Nicolas Hofler and Beste tested Hornicek at the other end. The goalkeeper then kept his side in the tie with two fantastic saves from a corner, denying Grifo and Ginter.
Braga’s resistance was eventually broken in the 72nd minute. It was a routine goal, Grifo delivering a free kick into the box where Kübler headed home.
The Warriors had nothing to lose and threw players forward, Moscardo’s shot deflected over the bar before Demir Ege Tiknaz made way for Gabri Martínez. Braga got a lifeline in the 79th minute when they reduced the deficit.
Gomez headed Moutinho’s free kick to the back post, Victor perfectly positioned to score from close range. It was a grandstand finish in Freiburg, Atubolu tipping efforts from Gorby and Martínez over the bar as Freiburg held on to reach the final.
Bad luck for Braga
It was always going to be a tough task in Freiburg following Mario Dorgeles’ sixth minute dismissal. Braga did themselves proud however, Gómez hitting the post on the stroke of half-time and Pau Víctor’s late goal keeping the tie alive.
Lukas Hornicek, Víctor Gómez, João Moutinho and Víctor Gómez produced strong performances in Germany where Ricardo Horta wasn’t risked off the bench.
Tristes mas com a certeza de que vamos ser felizes no futuro ♥️
Carlos Vicens was proud of his side in Germany: “I’m proud of our season. I think we were the team that deserved to be in the final, but sometimes not everything goes as we want and you have to accept it. I congratulate Freiburg.
“I cannot be prouder of the effort we put into these two games. The team never used the difficulties we’ve had in the last few weeks as excuses. With the players we had we fought for our goal. We didn’t do it, but I believe we will look back on this season as a historical and exemplary one, above all in the Europa League.
“At the end of the day, we can all fall down at times, it’s part of life. What makes the difference is what you do when you fall and this team has shown it picks itself up in difficult moments and it will do the same now. It’s another experience we have taken on board, which we have to learn from so that in the future, when the luck is on our side, we will achieve our objectives.”
The game had plenty of similarities to Braga’s 2022/23 Europa League quarter-final exit against Rangers. Leading 1-0 going into the second leg at Ibrox, Vítor Tormena was sent off in the first half as the Warriors held on before going down in extra time.
History for Freiburg
Freiburg took their chances and made history by reaching a first European final. There are few if any clubs that deserve it more.
Much of their modern identity was built by Christian Streich who managed the club from 2011 to 2024. He regularly addressed social issues while in charge, using press conferences to discuss politics, commercialism and the state of humanity.
It was fitting that Streich was in the stands to witness the historic moment for the Black Forest club, now managed by his protégé Julian Schuster.
In a world where many clubs and international teams are hijacked by glory hunter and entitled ‘supporters’, Freiburg continue to operate on a community level that should be the benchmark.
Sporting ended a five-game winless run with a 5-1 thrashing of Vitória at Alvalade tonight. After a series of listless, tired performances, it was the perfect tonic for coach Rui Borges, who signed an extended contract last week.
First-half goals by Gonçalo Inácio, man-of-the-match Daniel Bragança and Maxi Araújo put the hosts in charge at the break.
Luis Suárez and Luís Guilherme got in on the act in the second half as it threatened to get embarrassing for Vitória. A comical own goal by Zeno Debast gave the travelling fans a crumb of comfort. Tom Kundert reports from Alvalade.
***
Wide open game
A bright start set the tone for an open game. Diogo Sousa and João Mendes tried their luck for Vitória from distance but it was Sporting who took the lead from a well-worked free kick routine in the 8th minute.
Pote’s diagonal delivery was swept across goal by Luis Suárez where captain Gonçalo Inácio was on hand to head in from close range.
Midway through the first half Sporting doubled their lead with a wonderful goal. Francisco Trincão, Suárez, and Hidemasa Morita played some lovely one-touch passing in the middle of the pitch with the Japanese midfielder assisting Daniel Bragança, who produced a deft finish over goalkeeper Charles Silva.
The chances kept coming, Bragança thwarted a great individual goal by Charles and Trincão missing the target when he had only the goalkeeper to beat.
At the other end of the pitch a terrific shot by Miguel Nogueira forced Rui Silva into a fine diving save.
On the stroke of half time Maxi Araújo finished brilliantly after being set up by a long Debast pass. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but after a VAR check the decision was reversed. Half time and Sporting cruising at 3-0.
Sporting continued to pile forward after the break and shortly after the hour the home fans were cheering again as a precise through ball by Pedro Gonçalves allowed Luis Suárez to score goal number four.
Eduardo Quaresma then fired a spectacular volley into the top corner on the turn, but it did not count due to an offside in the buildup.
A rampant Sporting would not be denied though, substitute Luís Guilherme finishing confidently after being released by Suárez.
Suárez seemed determined to consolidate his place at the top of the goal-scoring charts, the Colombian going close to scoring again on three occasions.
But it would be Vitória who scored the last goal of the night, albeit with a big help from Belgian defender Debast, who put far too much weight on a back-pass to Rui Silva with the ball ending up in the net.
Sporting draw level on points with Benfica in second place, but remain behind their Lisbon rivals on the head-to-head record. Whoever finishes second will have the opportunity to join Liga Portugal winners FC Porto in the Champions League next season.
To overtake the Eagles, Sporting must gain more points in their two remaining matches (Rio Ave away, Gil Vicente at home) than Benfica do in their two games (Braga at home and Estoril away).
Porto are the 2025-26 Primeira Liga champions after a 1-0 victory against Alverca at Estádio do Dragão.
Gabri Veiga’s corner hit the back post before Froholdt deflected strike hit the bar, Jakub Kiwior handling the ball before tucking it past Matheus Mendes.
Sandro Lima headed Nabil Touaizi’s cross over the bar but it would be Porto who would take the lead in the 40th minute. Gabri Veiga’s corner was met by Jan Bednarek who headed the ball into the net.
The second half began with Sandro Lima firing wide and Figueiredo forcing a save from Diogo Costa.
Borja Sainz came off the bench and headed Alberto Costa’s cross straight at Matheus Mendes.
The supporters were busy celebrating the title with flares and fireworks being unleashed from both ends.
Alverca came close in added time, Alberto Costa doing well to get back and deny Cédric Nuozzi a tap-in.
***
Deserved champions
Porto have climbed back to the summit of Portuguese football, winning their 31st national championship title and first since 2021/22. Much has happened off the pitch since then, the Sérgio Conceição era coming to an end and followed by Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa who was comprehensively defeated by André Villas-Boas in the presidential election.
Villas-Boas needed some time to find his stride, going through Vítor Bruno and Martín Anselmi before hitting the managerial jackpot with Francesco Farioli.
The 37-year-old joined the club in the summer after a spectacular capitulation saw his Ajax side throw away the Eredivisie title.
Villas-Boas recently discussed the decision to hire the Italian manager: “Farioli is a coach who deserved to have succeeded at Ajax, but if he had succeeded at Ajax, he certainly wouldn’t be at Porto right now.
“Therefore, I think that the way that championship ended doesn’t invalidate the coach’s quality, his method, his leadership, the way he fought for that championship until the end.
“But it made him available on the market and we initiated the necessary contacts to bring him to Porto.
“I became more aware of coach Francesco Farioli through his work in France, when he finally established himself as a coach, as someone revolutionary in his ideas, methods, and leadership.”
Not only did Villas-Boas hire the right manager at the right time, he oversaw a recruitment department that did tremendous work in the transfer market.
Porto brought in Victor Froholdt, Alberto Costa, Gabri Veiga, Borja Sainz, Jan Bednarek, Dominik Prpić, Luuk de Jong, Pablo Rosario, Jakub Kiwior and made Nehuén Pérez’s deal permanent.
The Dragons went back into the market in the winter transfer window, signing Thiago Silva, Oskar Pietuszewski, Seko Fofana and Terem Moffi.
Pérez played just five games before suffering a season-ending injury, but getting Bednarek on loan from Arsenal has proved a masterstroke. His central defensive partnership with Polish international teammate Bednarek has been the foundation for Porto’s success, conceding only 15 goals in 32 Liga matches.
Alberto Costa has done well when fit, midfielders Gabri Veiga and Victor Froholdt quickly becoming permanent fixtures in Farioli’s 4-3-3 formation.
Pablo Rosario cost Porto just €3.75m from Nice, the versatile player getting plenty of game time ahead of Alan Varela and filling in at the back when required.
Farioli hasn’t placed any faith in Dominik Prpić which saw 41-year-old Thiago Silva join on a free transfer and play just under 1000 minutes in 13 appearances.
🇵🇹⚽️🏆 FT Porto 1-0 Alverca. The Primeira Liga title returns to Estádio do Dragão after Jan Bednarek headed home Gabri Veiga's corner in the first half. Tremendous season from Andre Villas-Boas, Francesco Farioli and the players. Fully dederved! Report coming up for @PortuGoal1. pic.twitter.com/A5nRBmGf0t
Borja Sainz has been inconsistent and lost his spot on the left wing to 17-year-old Oskar Pietuszewski. The teenager has already doubled in value since Porto paid Jagiellonia €8m in January and is set to keep increasing.
Signing Seko Fofana on loan was another masterstroke, the experienced midfielder scoring important goals providing plenty of attacking thrust.
One of the most important factors in winning the title has been the ability to overcome season-ending injuries to Samu Aghehowa and Luuk de Jong. De Jong went down with a cruciate ligament injury in November and Samu suffered the same fate in early February.
Deniz Gül scored twice in the recent win at Estrela da Amadora but has hardly looked like producing the same output as Samu. Terem Moffi was an emergency signing and has been far from a crowd favourite at Estádio do Dragão, I would be extremely surprised if he is wearing blue and white next season.
Teams can often get lucky and win Cup competitions, but in long league seasons the cream always rises to the top.
The Dragons fully deserve to win the title and it’s wonderful to see the good times return to Porto after a painful end to Pinto da Costa’s reign.
Jorge Costa tribute
The title celebrations were briefly interrupted for a tribute to Jorge Costa who suffered a heart attack at a pre-season training session and died not long after.
It must have been a traumatic and impactful incident for everyone involved at the club, and this title will be remembered in conjunction with the club legend.
Farioli spoke about Costa after the victory: “Our strength throughout the season was Jorge. One of the things he said at the beginning of the season was that we had a team again. We gave everything we had to win, and his presence was evident in small things. Those two clearances off the line are Jorge Costa’s DNA. He’s not physically with us, but he’s with us in spirit."
Diogo Costa spoke to SportTV after the victory against Alverca: "It’s a huge source of pride for this team, a lot of pride for the staff, and we are grateful for all the learning. We did the most important thing, which is to take FC Porto back to its rightful place.
“It’s a very united and young group. We have our core players, it was a very positive mix. This unity gave us the strength to face the difficulties. Above all, it’s the daily work, the dedication and the high standards. That was our best weapon. Our playing style represents exactly that: unity and hard work.
“I want to thank all the club staff, who often go unnoticed. I want to thank the president for all the support they have given us and will continue to give us. There is so much to say and remember. Our Jorge, Diogo Jota and his brother André. It’s a mixture of sadness and happiness.
“I woke up very emotional today and it’s as if I knew something good was going to happen because we deserve it. We are different. We are a different people. It’s true that we are grumpy but we are united at the same time, we welcome everyone.”
Farioli’s future
In January Villas-Boas extended Farioli’s contract to 2028. The manager has seen his stock rise significantly this season and when recently asked about the vacancy at Chelsea, he said: “I am the coach of FC Porto and I am very happy to be here.”
With his 38th birthday coming up this summer, Farioli should be in no hurry to leave Porto any time soon. Villas-Boas is setting into his presidency and all the players have bought into the project.
Gabri Veiga spoke about why Porto won the title: “It was somewhat the mentality of everyone who arrived. The president had a lot to do with it, he took responsibility. We made great signings, the manager was also important. If it weren’t for that, we wouldn’t have been successful.”
Farioli has an opportunity to build a dynasty at Porto and win multiple titles. The Dragons should be able to keep the core of their squad together and they will only get better next season.
FC Porto were crowned Portuguese champions with two games to spare at the Estádio do Dragão this Saturday night. How have the northern club got back to the top of the tree in Portugal after three seasons of flailing a long way behind their Lisbon rivals?
PortuGOAL lists 10 reasons why celebrations will be ongoing long into the night on the Avenida dos Aliados.
André Villas-Boas grows into his new role
André Villas-Boas was elected president two years ago, defeating Pinto da Costa after the octogenarian had been at the helm for more than four success-strewn decades. AVB’s first season at the helm was little short of disastrous. Both of his managerial choices, Vítor Bruno and Martín Anselmi, flunked badly.
It proved third time lucky with the appointment of Francesco Farioli. Other sound decisions were made by Villas-Boas and the Porto board, especially in relation to the club’s transfer activity, as detailed below, but his most important move was undoubtedly the hiring of a manager who seems a perfect fit for the Porto identity.
Farioli banishes his demons and restores his reputation
Italian coach Francesco Farioli has confirmed his status as one of Europe’s top up-and-coming coaches, recovering from his trauma at Ajax one year ago. In 2024/25, with the Dutch team way out in front and on the cusp of winning the Eredivisie, an incredible end-of-season collapse allowed PSV Eindhoven to snatch the title from the Amsterdam giants.
Charged with a similar job in Portugal – that of restoring a fallen colossus to the domestic dominance of yesteryear – Farioli guided his team to a strong position thanks to a near faultless first half of the campaign, and this time it was his rivals who faltered along the home run.
Farioli deserves praise for the intelligent way he rotated his squad, perhaps drawing on his experience one year ago, mitigating the effects of fixture pile-up and injuries to important players. Indeed, many of his key players got a “second wind” in the final weeks of the Primeira Liga schedule, Alberto Costa, Victor Froholdt and Alan Varela especially showing their best form of the whole campaign at the business end of the season.
Porto may not have been brilliant all year, but none of their title rivals could live with their consistency in terms of getting the results on the board.
Transfer business masterclass – in summer and winter
Big changes were inevitable after last season’s debacle. When a high player turnover takes place, a significant element of risk is always involved. Will the team gel? Will the new recruits settle quickly into their new environment? Will promising youngsters develop into polished performers? In Porto’s case the answer to all three questions was a resounding “sim!”
Listing Porto’s new players who have been a hit this season is practically the same thing as listing all their signings. With the effervescent Victor Froholdt at the front of the queue, Alberto Costa, Gabri Veiga, Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior also all hit the ground running, helping explain Porto’s stupendous start to their league campaign. Come the winter window and Oskar Pietuszewski, Pablo Rosario and Seko Fofana were three more precious additions who played key roles at different stages of the season.
Porto broke their transfer spend record for a window last summer, but the value of young gems like Froholdt, Alberto Costa, Veiga and Pietuszewski is sure to sky rocket, meaning it has been money well invested that will more than be recuperated, in addition to helping bring sporting success. An authentic object lesson in how to work the transfer market for a club of Porto’s size.
Sensational first half of the season
In a record-breaking start to their Primeira Liga season, Porto won 18 and drew one of their first 19 matches (Image: www.zerozero.pt)
In Portugal, given the gap in quality between the top teams and the rest, it is not uncommon for teams to go on long winning runs rarely seen in other top European leagues. But Porto’s stunning start to 2025/26 was unheard of. Literally. 16 victories in 17 matches – the only dropped points the home draw against Benfica – saw Porto accumulate a barely believable 49 points out of a possible 51 in the primeira volta. Unsurprisingly, it set a new record.
Naturally, the Dragons could not sustain that pace for the entire season, but the points buffer it gave them at the top of the table piled pressure on their rivals ahead of every match, months before the end of the season.
Non-stop physicality and energy
Porto may not have played as aesthetically pleasing football as many of their previous championship-winning sides, but the team recovered an attribute typically associated with the Dragons that had been conspicuously missing in recent seasons. The energy and effort on display, individually and collectively, more often than not ended up grinding down the opposition, such was the exertion required by the opposition just to match Farioli’s team in terms of physicality.
Perfect examples of this are Porto’s two games against Braga. Both home and away, the Warriors were arguably the more composed team playing the neater football, but ultimately Porto’s sheer will to win the three points, come what may, proved the defining factor in the results.
Victor Froholdt and Oskar Pietuszewski: superstars in the making?
Among the brilliant transfer business alluded to above, Porto picked up two particularly scintillating talents. Judging by what they have shown this season, and injury permitting, Danish midfield dynamo Victor Froholdt and Polish winger Oskar Pietuszewski are set for glittering careers. Froholdt’s frankly ridiculous energy levels allow him to cover every blade of grass for the whole 90 minutes, and although his usefulness goes far beyond his goal-threat, he noticeably improved in terms of hitting the net and providing assists as the season progressed.
Young Danish midfielder Victor Froholdt has enjoyed an outstanding debut season at FC Porto. (Photo: Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
At just 17, Pietuszewski is an exciting, fearless winger, and he was often the key to opening up opposition defences after his January signing. If he improves his decision making, he has every chance of becoming a household name.
Speaking with one voice amid the usual backdrop of noise and controversy
Football in Portugal is fiercely tribal, especially when it comes to the enmity felt between Porto and their two major rivals from the capital. This season the war of words was as belligerent as ever, with heated accusations of favouritism in relation to the officiating often verging on outright allegations of corruption. However much “evidence” any club puts forward backing up these claims, they can easily be rebutted with similar “proof” to the contrary of incorrect refereeing.
What is important in this parallel sport is not winning arguments that can never be won. It is showing a united front. And Farioli, AVB and captain Jan Bednarek spoke in perfect unison, the same messaging coming out in all circumstances and on all platforms. Whether they believe in conspiracy theories or not is not important. Speaking with a united voice is.
Diogo Costa – the human wall
Diogo Costa has further enhanced his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. (Photo: Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images)
Another season, another magnificent campaign by Porto and Portugal’s No1. Porto rarely blew away opponents and won a lot of games by a single-goal margin, heightening the crucial nature of many of Diogo Costa’s contributions, be it miraculous saves or vital sweeper-keeper interceptions. He was also the first line of construction of Porto’s attacking play thanks to his exceptionally accurate passing, long or short.
Rock solid defence
Just because it’s a cliché does not make it any less true: “Attacks win matches, defences win championships.” Porto have conceded a miserly 15 goals in 32 Liga Portugal matches this season. In the first half of the season especially, as soon as the Blue and Whites took a lead, it was virtually game over, so difficult was it to breach the Porto back line. This despite several injuries meaning the back four was far from stable, although the outstanding Diogo Costa and Jan Bednarek were two constants all season long.
The spirit of Jorge Costa fuels an emotional push to the title
Back working at the club to whom he gave such extraordinary service, Costa was hugely respected and revered by all the current staff, even those who had a relatively short acquaintance with him.
Francesco Farioli frequently alluded to the need to bring the Portuguese title back to Porto as the only fitting tribute for the legendary No2. His passing undoubtedly helped forge an emotional bond among the entire group as they strived to reach their main goal – becoming champions of Portugal once again.
At half time there appeared only one winner of this match. Benfica were good value for their two-goal lead constructed early on through strikes by man-of-the-match Andreas Schjelderup, from the penalty spot, and Richard Ríos.
In an opening 45 minutes completely dominated by the visitors, Franjo Ivanovic also had a goal ruled out for offside. Another effort by the lively Serbian was cleared off the line by Justin de Haas, and Ivanovic – preferred over the usual starting striker Pavlidis – again came desperately close to scoring on the stroke of half time but his shot whistled inches past the post.
Benfica were also denied what looked like a clear penalty for a handball in the box by Rodrigo Pinheiro, when leading 2-0. At the time the controversial decision seemed to have little importance.
Otamendi sees red
The game turned on a red card shown to Benfica captain Nicolás Otamendi in the 55th minute for a violent foul on Mathias de Amorim. Moments later Famalicão captain Gustavo Sá missed a header from point-blank range when it seemed easier to score.
The hosts were now well on top and a fine goal by Portugal U21 midfielder Mathias de Amorim further energised the home supporters.
It was no surprise when substitute Umar Abubakar levelled the scores in the 78th minute.
With plenty of injury time on the cards after a long stoppage as one of the officials had to be replaced due to injury, Famalicão sensed victory and a chance to boost their chances of finishing fifth to earn a slot in the UEFA Conference League was there for the taking.
Rodrigo Pinheiro was nearly the hero for Fama when his spectacular long-range effort crashed off the underside of the bar, but Benfica held on for the draw.
Mourinho lashes out at officiating
José Mourinho expressed his fury at what he perceived as erroneous officiating in the flash interview. “This game is a good reflection of what has happened in this championship,” said the visibly irritated manager.
“I want to give my congratulations to FC Porto. They are just champions. I want to give congratulations to my players for the bravery this showed up until today. And especially today.
“We will give everything we’ve got to achieve a miracle of finishing in second place ahead of Sporting. We will try to make this miracle happen.”
Consequences
The draw means FC Porto will be crowned champions of Portugal tonight provided they do not lose their home match against Alverca.
Benfica move three points ahead of Sporting. The Lions have a game in hand, against Vitória on Monday, but José Mourinho’s team have the head-to-head advantage over their Lisbon rivals so still depend only on themselves to finish second.
In the race for the last European berth, Famalicão are three points clear of Gil Vicente but have played a game more with Gil holding the head-to-head advantage.
Braga got on top early at the Quarry, Pau Victor latching onto Rodrigo Zalazar’s pass and firing wide. The Warriors took the lead in the 8th minute.
Jordy Makengo cleared Zalazar’s deep cross straight to Víctor Gómez who sent the ball back into the box, Demir Ege Tiknaz reacting first and steering it into the bottom corner.
Freiburg got into the game, their first chance falling for Johan Manzambi who missed the top corner. The German side took advantage of a defensive blunder to equalise in the 16th minute.
Paulo Oliveira collided into Gustaf Lagerbielke and Vitor Carvalho was too slow to react, Igor Matanovic getting to the ball first and sending Jan-Niklas Beste clear. The winger burst into the box and squared to an unmarked Vincenzo Grifo who slotted the ball past Lukas Hornicek.
Ricardo Horta picked up an injury and briefly remained on the pitch before being replaced by Mario Dorgeles. Braga overcame the loss of their captain and got back on top.
A free flowing move ended in Dorgeles missing the target before João Moutinho’s grass cutter was collected by Noah Atubolu. The hosts persisted and were awarded a penalty in added time.
It came from a corner, Philipp Lienhart wrestling Gustaf Lagerbielke to the ground which resulted in the VAR summoning referee Anthony Taylor to the touchline. He eventually pointed to the spot where Zalazar stepped up and was denied by Noah Atubolu who made a great save.
Zalazar was heavily involved at the start of the second half, Freiburg threatening down the left wing through Jordy Makengo and Johan Manzambi. Matanovic headed a corner wide and Max Eggestein tested Hornicek.
Zalazar ran out of gas and made way for Fran Navarro. Julian Schuster went to his bench for the first time in the 81st minute, bringing on Derry Scherhant and Lucas Holer for Yuito Suzuki and Vincenzo Grifo.
The contest swing back into Braga’s favour and they took advantage in added time.
João Moutinho’s pass over the top released Gómez, his cross picking out Carvalho who shot straight at Atubolu. The goalkeeper didn’t do enough to clear the danger, the ball sitting up perfectly for Dorgeles who pounced and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Huge win
Braga got off to a fast start at the Quarry before bad luck threatened to ruin their evening. Freiburg were gifted the equaliser before Ricardo Horta went off injured and Rodrigo Zalazar’s penalty was saved.
The second half was a war of attrition until a moment of magic from João Moutinho who instigated a dramatic winner.
The Warriors travel to the Black Forest with a narrow advantage that could prove crucial as they attempt to reach their second Europa League final.
Carlos Vicens will be desperate to get some reinforcements back following Horta’s injury. Bright Arrey-Mbi, Florian Grillitsch and Gabri Martínez could return for the crucial clash.
(Photos: Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)
Reaction
Vicens spoke after the victory: "The support from the fans was noticeable, they were motivated. The entire second half of this tie is still to come, 90 minutes of football in Germany next week. Freiburg will want to turn this around, and we have to be prepared.
"We have to keep fighting to prevail, to impose our game, and try to play a great match to reach the final. The advantage we have is minimal, but the team wants to be in the final and fought to be in the final.
"They fought against adversity, conceding a goal which was bad luck, Horta's injury, missing a penalty. There are many aspects that were important, especially the team having an exceptional mentality, facing the game, the adversities, without ever ceasing to believe and to persevere. We were a team, it all came down to that, for the performance we delivered. These are players who never stop persevering, who never stop fighting for victory."
Lineups
Braga (3-5-2) Lukas Hornicek; Gustaf Lagerbielke, Paulo Oliveira, Vitor Carvalho; Víctor Gómez, Demir Ege Tiknaz, João Moutinho, Gorby Baptiste, Rodrigo Zalazar (Fran Navarro 72’); Ricardo Horta (Mario Dorgeles 26’), Pau Victor
Unused substitutes: Tiago Sá, Alaa Bellaarouch, Jónatas Noro, Leonardo Lelo, Afonso Sousa, Yanis da Rocha, Luisinho, Rodrigo Silva, João Vasconcelos, Amine El Ouazzani
Coach: Carlos Vicens
Freiburg (4-2-3-1) Noah Atubolu; Philipp Treu, Matthias Ginter, Philipp Lienhart, Jordy Makengo; Max Eggestein, Johan Manzambi; Jan-Niklas Beste, Yuito Suzuki (Lucas Holer 81’), Vincenzo Grifo (Derry Scherhant 81’); Igor Matanovic
Unused substitutes: Florian Muller, Jannik Huth, Lukas Kubler , Anthony Jung, Christian Günter, Bruno Ogbus, Nicolas Hofler, Rouven Tarnutzer, Cyriaque Irié, Maximilian Philipp
Coach: Julian Schuster
Goals:
[1-0] Demir Ege Tiknaz 8' [1-1] Vincenzo Grifo 16’ [2-1] Mario Dorgeles 90+1’
A goal in each half by Gaizka Larrazabal and Lawrence Ofori gave Casa Pia a 2-0 win over Torreense and ensured the Lisbon minnows remain the top flight for another season.
PortuGOAL’s “Talk of the Town” feature is back, with a long overdue trip to one of Portugal’s island clubs.
Benfica cruised to a 3-1 victory in Estoril to earn the unenviable record of going undefeated in Liga Portugal and finishing third.
Sporting CP have reclaimed second position in Liga Portugal following an entertaining 4-1 victory against Rio Ave.
Porto suffered their second defeat in Liga Portugal after a surprise 3-1 loss in Vila das Aves.
Braga’s Europa League campaign has ended in the semi-finals after a 3-1 defeat in Freiburg. Hopes were high following a 
It was fitting that Streich was in the stands to witness the historic moment for the Black Forest club, now managed by his protégé Julian Schuster.
Porto are the 2025-26 Primeira Liga champions after a 1-0 victory against Alverca at Estádio do Dragão.
Braga got on top early at the Quarry, Pau Victor latching onto Rodrigo Zalazar’s pass and firing wide. The Warriors took the lead in the 8th minute.
João Moutinho’s pass over the top released Gómez, his cross picking out Carvalho who shot straight at Atubolu. The goalkeeper didn’t do enough to clear the danger, the ball sitting up perfectly for Dorgeles who pounced and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.