It’s ‘begin as you mean to go on’ for all four of the Primeira Liga’s top sides with wins across the board ahead of the final international break.
A sole goal from Raphinha was enough to turn Sporting’s home encounter versus Santa Clara into a 1-0 victory on Friday night, applying pressure on Sporting de Braga before their game against Vitória de Setúbal.
Abel Ferreira’s men replied to the Lions’ pursuit of third place with a 1-0 win, away from home, before being joined in triumph later on Saturday night by Porto in their 3-0 dissecting of Marítimo.
Benfica brought the action at the top to a close with 4-0 win away to high-flying Moreirense, this Sunday, leaving the Primeira Liga standings as you were for another week. PortuGOAL brings you all the action at the summit of the table.
Benfica will be in Friday’s Europa League draw after beating Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 in Lisbon to reach the last eight thanks to fine goals from well-struck shots by Jonas, Ferro and Grimaldo. It was also a great night for former Benfica favourite Gonçalo Guedes, who struck a dramatic late goal to earn Valencia a place in the last eight of the competition.
Week 25 of Liga NOS produced a surprise at the top of the table as the title race heated up further, Porto moving level on points with Benfica after the latter threw away a 2-0 lead to draw with Belenenses.
Benfica surrendered a two-point advantage at the top of the table after a 2-2 draw at home to Belenenses enabled FC Porto to draw level on the 60-point-mark alongside the Eagles.