Portuguese Football in English
Braga drew 1-1 in Monaco to complete a 3-1 aggregate victory and progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Porto failed to join their northern rivals, however, as another 1-1 draw, in Lyon, meant the Dragons lost the tie 2-1 on aggregate.
Benfica pulled off an incredible 1-0 win against Ajax in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg to advance 3-2 on aggregate. On the back foot for much of the match in Amsterdam, they defended resolutely and took their chance in the 77th minute when Darwin Núñez headed home Alejandro Grimaldo’s free kick.
Erik ten Hag’s side monopolised possession at the Johan Cruijff Arena but failed to seriously test Odysseas Vlachodimos, the Eagles to advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2015-16.
Week 26 of Liga Bwin 2021/22 may have been a little short on goals but there remained plenty of talking points across the round, namely Benfica dropping points at home to Vizela to kick the action off on Friday night.
Porto and Sporting each took advantage by registering comfortable victories over Tondela and Moreirense respectively. Gil Vicente’s superb season continued with a last-gasp win at legitimate top four rivals Braga.
Another team enjoying a surprisingly prosperous campaign is newly-promoted Estoril, who leapt into 7th place courtesy of their triumph over Portimonense. One of their January transfer window signings was integral to their success on the day, Spanish midfielder Jordi Mboula is our PortuGOAL Figure of the Week.
Sporting and FC Porto have added breathing space between themselves and third-placed Benfica after the latter’s draw 1-1 against FC Vizela on Friday night was met by a couple of wins from the current Primeira Liga title contenders.
The narrative was set up by Benfica’s misstep at home to Vizela, helped on by Adel Taarabt’s early red card in a 1-1 draw at the Estádio da Luz.
In response, FC Porto distanced themselves from their third-placed rivals with a strong outing against Tondela, winning 4-0 at the Estádio do Dragão and opening up a 12-point-gap between themselves and the Eagles.
Sporting matched the result with a 2-0 win away to Moreirense as strike duo Islam Slimani and Paulinho starred, keeping them six points off top spot and still in the hunt to retain their league title.
Leixões couldn’t turn their dominance into three points in an entertaining 1-1 draw against Vilafranquense at the Estádio do Mar. The visitors took the lead in the 48th minute, Igor Stefanovic spilling a routine cross which allowed Nenê to open the scoring.
'Heróis do Mar' persisted and deservedly equalised in the 79th minute when Thalis Cantanhede’s cross was headed home by Wendel. Leixões had three chances to score in added time but couldn’t find the net.
