Porto’s UEFA Europa League ambitions took a blow at the Estádio Do Dragão after a 1-0 loss to Lyon in the Round of 16 first leg. Lucas Paquetá converted in the 59th minute as the French club got on the front foot after the break.

Pepe’s half-time withdrawal for a head injury was a major handicap for the Dragons, Sérgio Conceição waiting too long to introduce Toni Martínez, Fábio Vieira and Galeno. Lyon will be confident of holding onto their advantage in the second leg next week.

Twenty five games down after the latest round of matches, Liga Bwin’s 2021/22 season continued to entertain and intrigue in Portugal.

Santa Clara and Vitória Guimarães both arrested some recent poor form with important wins over Vizela and Famalicão respectively. Marítimo took advantage of the continued slumps from early season high flyers Estoril and Portimonense, the Madeira side jumping over the pair and into the top seven after beating Moreirense.

The “big three” continue to dominate at the top end of the division, Porto and Benfica recording victories while the pair’s rivals Sporting remained sandwiched in between courtesy of a triumph over Arouca. Returning hero Islam Slimani scored his first Alvalade goals in nearly six years, the Algerian striker is our PortuGOAL Figure of the Week.

Tondela failed to build on a strong first half performance in a 1-1 draw against Belenenses SAD at Estádio João Cardoso. Tiago Dantas and Rafael Barbosa were the catalysts, both players combining to win a corner that was headed home by Manu Hernando in the 32nd minute.

Belenenses came out strong in the second half however, and it was only a matter of time before they equalised. That moment came in the 64th minute when Abel Camará converted from close range.

The result leaves Tondela in the relegation play-off position and Belenenses bottom of the table, four points behind Moreirense.

Paços de Ferreira 2-4 FC Porto

Having seen their lead at the top of the table cut to three points on Saturday night, Porto responded in commanding fashion with a 4-2 victory away at in-form Paços de Ferreira.

Evanilson and Mehdi Taremi were among the goals again, the two front men forming a lethal partnership in recent weeks, but the star of the show was midfield schemer Vitinha. “Today he is a complete midfielder, his presence fills the pitch,” said Porto coach Sérgio Conceição in the post-match press conference.