After a week of mixed emotions on the continental stage, the focus switched back to the title race and the potential hiccups, twists and turns that it could bring to the forefront.
It was mission accomplished at the Estádio da Luz, with Ruben Dias, Jardel and Jiménez all weighing in to defeat Boavista 4-0.
FC Porto responded in the perfect manner, not just to their rival's result, but also to the heavy 5-0 defeat inflicted by Liverpool last Wednesday, dealing Rio Ave a 5-0 thumping of their own at the Estádio do Dragão.
The final bit of action was reserved for Sporting, who would take things down to the wire, and some, before finding a winning goal deep into stoppage time, as they controversially claimed a 2-1 turnaround victory away from home. PortuGOAL takes you through the title race goings-on of the weekend.
Manuel Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Bruma impress
Jorge Jesus led Benfica to three Europa League semi-finals and two finals in his Benfica days, and the charismatic coach is aiming for similar success in the competition with Sporting this season.
Week 22 of Liga NOS was business as usual for “The Big Three”, who all recorded wins to keep up their title challenges, while a resurgent Estoril secured their third straight victory away at Moreirense.
The Champions League draw has served up an exciting encounter for Portugal’s lone representative in the knockout stage of the competition. Porto will play hosts to Jürgen Klopp and his Liverpool side on Wednesday night, before traveling to England in March for the return leg.