• Boavista
• Benfica
• Sporting,
• FC Porto,
• Vitória de Guimarães,
• Estoril
• Sebastian Coates
• Evanilson
• Loreintz Rosier

Benfica have been leapfrogged at the top of the Primeira Liga table after surrendering a lead late on to draw 1-1 away to Estoril Praia, this Saturday.

The Eagles, under pressure following a comprehensive 4-1 victory from FC Porto in the Invicta Derby, were in front as early as the second minute via Lucas Veríssimo’s opener, but a 90th minute Loreintz Rosier equaliser scuppered a positive night for Jorge Jesus’ men, now one point behind first and second place.

Sporting followed Porto to the top with a 1-0 win at home to Vitória de Guimarães, supplied by the trusted goal-scoring source that is Sebastian Coates, setting the Lions side-by-side with the Dragons on 26 points.

After an extended break due to internationals and continuation of this season’s Taça de Portugal, Liga Bwin returned to action at the weekend amid a busy period of matches for the majority of the country’s top flight teams.

Minho sides Braga and Vitória Guimarães continued some recent momentum with wins over Gil Vicente and Marítimo respectively, while Santa Clara and Belenenses SAD, both under new management, saw struggles continue as the pair drifted into the bottom two of the division.

The title race remains close as ever as Benfica bounced back from a shock loss in the previous gameweek, leaving it very late to overcome Vizela. Sporting stayed in touch with a narrow victory of their own.

Porto too remained well in the hunt thanks to a stunning individual performance from their number nine. This edition of the PortuGOAL Figure of the Week was a very easy choice, as Mehdi Taremi’s predatory hat-trick blew away Tondela.

• Benfica
• Tondela
• Moreirense
• Primeira Liga,
• Sporting,
• FC Porto,
• Sebastian Coates
• Rafa Silva
• Mehdi Taremi
• FC Vizela

Benfica have held onto the Primeira Liga top spot after Rafa Silva, with the final kick of the game, bagged a crucial 1-0 victory for the visitors away to Vizela, this Sunday.

The Eagles looked poised to surrender first place to FC Porto and Sporting with a potential draw against the newly-promoted outfit, but a late close-range finish by Rafa, supplemented by Pizzi, alleviated matters.

Pressure was on Jorge Jesus’ men after Porto, courtesy of a Mehdi Taremi hat-trick, came out on top on Matchday 9 with a 3-1 victory away to Tondela.

Sporting followed with a 1-0 win at home to Moreirense on Saturday night, secured by the on-form Sebastian Coates. Benfica’s win, however, reinstates the scene by going a point ahead of their two rivals.

A highly satisfying night for Portuguese clubs in the Champions League on Tuesday saw Sporting win 4-1 against Besiktas in Istanbul – the Lisbon club’s first win in Turkey – and Porto completely outplay AC Milan at the Estádio do Dragão for a 1-0 victory that did not reflect the dominance of the Dragons.

Both teams remain third in their respective groups but have reignited their chances of reaching the knockout stages and are now in a strong position to at least guarantee European football after Christmas via the Europa League.  

Meanwhile, on Wednesday night Benfica put up a good fight against one of the tournament favourites, Bayern Munich, at the Estádio da Luz, even forcing Manuel Neuer into two incredible saves to keep the game goalless, before falling to a late flurry of goals from the ruthless Germans. PortuGOAL brings you the match reports and reactions.