Portuguese Football in English
Sporting bounced back to winning ways with a convincing 3-1 victory over Gil Vicente in Lisbon tonight.
First-half goals from Hidemassa Morita and Pote put the hosts in charge, with Rochinha adding a third late on before Fran Navarro notched a stoppage time consolation for struggling Gil Vicente.
Feirense overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Oliveirense 3-2 in a game to remember in Santa Maria da Feira, earning their first home win of the season.
Michel Lima opened the scoring in the first half before Duarte Duarte extended Oliveirense’s lead in the 58th minute.
Feirense took advantage of two mistakes from Ricardo Ribeiro to get back into the contest, the goalkeeper failing to stop João Paulo’s low drive and palming the ball to Oche Ochowechi who equalised.
The hosts completed the comeback in added time, João Paredes taking advantage of a howler from Mohammed Lamine to slam the ball home off the underside of the bar.
Liga Bwin football pauses for the season’s first international break as early pace-setters Benfica maintained their 100% start to the campaign by thrashing a beleaguered Marítimo, who prop up the table.
Braga have started similarly well, taking second place after a win over Vizela, and taking advantage of a Porto slip up in drawing at Estoril. Surprise packages Portimonense and Casa Pia both recorded victories to keep up terrific opening spells to 2022/23.
Another team arguably in the surprise package category is Boavista, who stunned a domestically struggling Sporting side, in part largely due to a goal of the season contender from PortuGOAL Figure of the Week Bruno Lourenço, the team nailing down fifth place in the process.
Braga made it eight straight wins after two goals in the final 10 minutes secured a 2-0 victory against Vizela.
Vitinha's deflected shot put them ahead in the 83rd minute before the striker assisted Ricardo Horta in added time. Matheus came up big at the other end, the keeper playing his part in the win with two sharp saves.
The victory sees Artur Jorge’s side keep pace with Benfica at the top of the table, Braga with the most potent attack in the Primeira Liga.
PortuGOAL’s Matthew Marshall reports from the Quarry.
Benfica have increased their lead at the top of the Primeira Liga table prior to Sporting de Braga’s clash against Vizela, going five points clear with a 5-0 goal-glut at home to Marítimo.
The Eagles took advantage of slip-ups from bitter rivals FC Porto and Sporting to add to the distance between themselves and the chasers, who trail by five and 11 points respectively after Benfica’s Gonçalo Ramos-led triumph against Marítimo.
Benfica’s serene Sunday was warmed up by Arouca’s encounter with Vitória at home, leaving the hosts with a bitter taste in their mouths following a 102nd minute equaliser from spot-kick-taking Rúben Lameiras.
Elsewhere, Casa Pia prolonged their positive start to the season with their fourth win in seven games, making Famalicão their latest victims in a 1-0 victory in front of their home support.
