Portuguese Football in English
Porto 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen (aggregate: 2-5)
Porto suffered a 3-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen at the Estádio do Dragão to end their UEFA Europa League adventure. Goals to Lucas Alario, Kerem Demirbay and Kai Havertz had the visitors in complete control before Moussa Marega's consolation. Sérgio Conceição's side can have no complaints after being outclassed by the Bundesliga club over both legs.
Braga 0-1 Rangers (aggregate: 2-4)
Sporting Braga’s UEFA Europa League campaign has ended after a 1-0 defeat against Rangers at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. The Portuguese club dominated possession but poor defending wayward finishing and a resolute Rangers defence was their downfall, along with surrendering a 2-0 lead in Glasgow.
Matheus saved Ianis Hagi’s penalty on the stroke of half-time but the Romanian playmaker wouldn't be denied, assisting Ryan Kent for the match winner in the 61st minute. Steven Gerrard’s side advance 4-2 on aggregate.
Narrow victories for Benfica and Porto meant it was very much as you were at the conclusion of Round 22 of Liga NOS 2019/20. Braga and Sporting remain in the places behind after respective wins, while Aves and Portimonense losses saw the pair slip further adrift at the bottom, coupled with vital triumphs for Paços de Ferreira and Belenenses.
One of the division’s most eye-catching sides at the minute is Rio Ave, who continued their case for European qualification by beating Tondela. They had super sub Gelson Dala to credit in doing so, and the Angolan forward is the PortuGOAL Figure of the Week.
A late Alex Telles wonder-strike has kept FC Porto firmly in the hunt for the league title after claiming a narrow 1-0 win at home to Portimonense, this Sunday.
The Dragons, eager to build on the momentum gained in recent weeks, broke the deadlock as late as the 87th minute at the Estádio do Dragão to ensure, at the very least, that a one-point gap from the top would be maintained.
Benfica took their position back from the Dragons on Monday night, courtesy of a first-half Carlos Vinícius goal that registered a 1-0 triumph away to Gil Vicente, however.
Elsewhere, Sporting followed up on their midweek Europa League success to defeat Boavista 2-0 at home prior to Sporting de Braga’s 3-1 victory versus Vitória de Setúbal, reclaiming third spot. Here’s just how the top four got on.
Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Porto
Bayer Leverkusen beat Porto 2-1 at the BayArena, a result that will ultimately please the Portuguese club. Goals to Lucas Alario and Kai Haverz had the Werkself in complete control before Luis Díaz pulled one back, the result keeps the tie delicately balanced before the 2nd leg at the Estádio Do Dragão.
