Portuguese Football in English
FC Porto swept aside Tondela 3-0 at the Estádio do Dragão to stay in touch with Benfica in the Primeira Liga title race. Tiquinho Soares scored twice in the first half and Otávio put the result beyond doubt just after half time.
The draw the first knockout round of the Europa League has thrown up an intriguing set of fixtures for Portugal’s four remaining teams in the competition.
Gil Vicente and Vitória Guimarães played out an exciting 2-2 draw at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos. Claude Goncalves and Bozhidar Kraev gave the hosts a 2-0 half time lead, but Vitor Oliveira’s side were flooded in the second half with Marcus Edwards and Davidson giving Guimarães a share of the spoils. PortuGOAL's Matthew Marshall braved the rain in Barcelos to see two youngsters steal the show.
Benfica confirmed their title credentials with Pizzi playing a starring role in a 4-0 win against Famalicão at the Estádio da Luz. Carlos Vinícius opened the scoring, Pizzi bagging a brace before setting up Caio Lucas who put the icing on the cake. PortuGOAL's Matthew Marshall thinks the Eagles are near certainties to romp to their sixth title in seven years.
Porto’s Europa League campaign will continue after a 3-2 victory against Feyenoord at the Estádio do Dragão. Porto were 2-0 up inside 15 minutes thanks to Luis Díaz and a Tyrell Malacia own goal, the Dragons then falling asleep in allowing Eric Botteghin and Sam Larsson to restore parity.
Tiquinho bundled the ball over the line in the 33rd minute that ended up being the winning goal. Sérgio Conceição’s side were on the back foot for most of the second half, but they hung on and snatched top spot in Group G after Young Boys’ late equaliser in Glasgow. PortuGOAL's Matthew Marshall braved the rain to see Porto take all three points.
