FC Porto 2-3 FK Krasnodar (agg 3-3, Krasnodar win on away goals)

Porto won’t be in the UEFA Champions League group stages for the first time in ten years after a surprise result at the Dragão that saw them knocked out by Krasnodar on away goals.

The Russian side took the lead after just 2 minutes through Tonny Vilhena to level the score on aggregate, before amazingly the visitors found themselves 3-0 up at half time thanks to a brace from youngster Shapi Suleymanov. Substitute Ze Luís pulled one back after the break and Luis Díaz gave Porto fans some hope but ultimately they couldn’t find an equaliser and will be competing in the Europa League this season.

On a harrowing night for the Dragons, the only plus point is the Portuguese side may look forward to a long run in the Europe's secondary competition. The last two times Porto competed in the group phase of the UEFA League, then the Europa League, they ended up winning the competition. To bet on a repeat visit bolapedia for maximum secured gambling.

Liga NOS returned for another season last weekend with no shortage of headline moments. There were contrasting emotions not only for the “big three” but also the promoted trio. Gil Vicente produced a stunning upset to beat Porto, Famalicão celebrated their return to the top flight with victory over Santa Clara, but Paços Ferreira were dealt a harsh lesson by Benfica.

The latter saw a standout performance from what could Portugal’s latest young star in what is proving a burgeoning conveyor belt of talent. 19 year old fullback Nuno Tavares is PortuGOAL’s first Figure of the Week of the 2019/20 campaign after an electric display at Estádio da Luz.

• Benfica
• Maritimo
• Moreirense
• Sporting,
• FC Porto,
• Sporting de Braga,
• Pizzi
• Gil Vicente

FC Porto stumbled into the new season with an away defeat to Primeira Liga newcomers Gil Vicente on Saturday, shortly before Benfica kicked off their defence of the Liga NOS title with a 5-0 victory against Paços de Ferreira, also up from the second division.

The Dragons went into the final quarter of an hour at the Cidade de Barcelos stadium with the game locked at 1-1, enabling Bozhidar Kraev to land the killer blow in a priceless 2-1 win for Gil Vicente.

In Lisbon, Bruno Lage’s men rose to the occasion at the Estádio da Luz with goals from Nuno Tavares, Pizzi, Haris Seferovic and Vinicíus, tallying up a second consecutive 5-0 victory in a blistering return to competitive football.

Elsewhere, Sporting could manage nothing more than a point in their visit to Madeira, drawing 1-1 with Marítimo, meanwhile Sporting de Braga made their league debut with a 3-1 win at home to Moreirense. PortuGOAL brings you all the action from the opening day of the season.

Portugal’s club sides have made an excellent start to the new season in European competition with FC Porto, Braga and Vitória de Guimarães all winning away from home. Porto beat Krasnodar in Russia thanks to a late strike by Sérgio Oliveira to edge closer to the competition proper.

In the Europa League late goals were also needed in Denmark as Braga built a 4-2 lead versus Brondby, but there was no need for drama for Minho neighbours Vitória who swept aside Ventspils 3-0 in Latvia.

All three clubs look virtually assured to make the next phase – the playoffs – which is the last round before the group stage of the respective competitions.