Portuguese Football in English
Sporting Covilhã recorded their first win and clean sheet of the year with a 2-0 victory against Trofense at the Estádio Municipal José dos Santos Pinto. Rui Gomes created the opening goal in the 58th minute when his cross was headed home by Kukula.
Trofense had to overcommit on the offensive end which left them exposed, and they paid the price in the 85th minute. Gomes was the creator once again, releasing Samu who found the bottom corner to end the contest.
Académica de Coimbra’s miserable season continued with a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to Benfica B. Down 1-0 at half-time, two goals to top scorer João Carlos in the space of four minutes put the hosts in front at Estádio Cidade de Coimbra.
Benfica fought back with João Resende’s second goal restoring parity, the 18-year-old then combining with Martim Neto who reestablished the Eagles’ lead.
Mauro Caballero equalised in the 89th minute which looked to be enough for a well deserved point, but he was sent off less than 60 seconds later for a foul on Tiago Gouveia. Gouveia took advantage of Vladimir Stojkovic’s second error of the night, curling the ball into the top corner deep into added time.
Braga produced a professional performance to beat Monaco 2-0 in the Europa League Round of 16 first leg. Abel Ruiz put the Portuguese club into the lead in the 3rd minute, the first half swinging from end to end with both goalkeepers making important saves.
The Principality club couldn’t find a way through in the second half and they ran out of ideas at the Quarry. Carlos Carvalhal’s side defended resolutely and put the icing on the cake in the 89th minute, Vitor Oliveira heading home to give them a cushion going into the second leg.
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.
