FC Porto 2-1 Sporting
A thrilling game at the Estádio do Dragão ended with a 2-1 win for the hosts as Porto effectively knocked Sporting out of the title race and ensured they would at least maintain their 5-point lead going into the final nine matches of the season.
Chances were created at both ends in a surprisingly open game considering what was at stake. Marcano headed Porto into the lead on 29 minutes, but Sporting substitute Rafael Leão equalised on the stroke of half time with his first touch of the ball. Brahimi restored the home side’s lead soon after the break, but only a fantastic Casillas save and a glaring miss by Rafael Leão prevented Sporting from grabbing a late equaliser.
On Friday night Liga NOS leaders FC Porto host third-placed Sporting in a massive six-pointer that could have huge ramifications for the title race.
There are now just 10 matches of Liga NOS 2017/18 left, with both the title race and the relegation battle shaping up to be very tense affairs that look set to go down to the wire.
The Primeira Liga entered its final ten-game countdown to the sound of FC Porto beginning to pull away from its rivals at the top of the table, having defeated Estoril 3-1 in midweek.
Emphatic wins for Benfica and Porto headlined Week 23 of Liga NOS, while Sporting also won by the skin of their teeth in controversial fashion away at Tondela.