Sporting have followed up their opening-day win against Vizela with a second consecutive victory away to Sporting de Braga, defeating the Arsenalistas 2-1 in this weekend’s main event.
The Lions had their noses in front after Jovane Cabral’s first half breakthrough was later doubled by man-of-the-moment Pedro Gonçalves, treating Rúben Amorim’s men to a 2-0 lead in the first half. A red card for Matheus Reis and Abel Ruiz’s first goal for Braga this season threatened to undo all of that, however, but the title holders held on to win by a slender margin.
Prior to the clash up north, Benfica welcomed Arouca for their first league game at the Estádio da Luz, coasting past the newly-promoted side, who were reduced to ten man early, with a 2-0 victory. The recipe was later copied and pasted by FC Porto on Sunday evening, claiming an important set of three points away to Famalicão with two goals from Toni Martinez in a 2-1 win.
Benfica 2-0 Spartak Moscow
Portuguese top flight football as the newly-christened Liga Bwin got under this weekend with Sporting kicking off the campaign and their league title defence by overcoming division new boys Vizela. The contenders for the Lions’ crown similarly triumphed, Porto defeating Belenenses SAD, Benfica edging Moreirense and Braga beating Marítimo.
Sporting have begun the defence of their Primeira Liga title with a 3-0 win at home to Vizela, opening up their 2021/22 campaign in style against the newly-promoted northern outfit.
Spartak Moscow 0-2 Benfica