Benfica 2-1 Sporting

A typically full-blooded Lisbon derby, played at high pace, not always of the highest quality, and seasoned with a generous dose of controversy, was won by Benfica this evening to keep the Portuguese champions clear at the top of the table.

The home team went into the interval leading thanks to a brilliant breakaway goal by Salvio, with Sporting complaining that two penalties should have been awarded to them, the first of which was at the origin of the Benfica goal.

Benfica doubled their lead early in the second half through Jiménez, but Sporting came roaring back, with Bas Dost heading into the net in the 69th minute, and only some fine saves by Ederson prevented the visitors from taking a share of the points. Benfica are top of the standings, increasing the gap to four points ahead of the second-placed team, which is now Porto, with Sporting a further point behind.

Time for the second in PortuGOAL’s series of in-depth analyses of some of Portugal’s less well-known top flight teams.

Today we turn the spotlight on Vitória Guimarães, arguably the team with the most fervent fans anywhere in Portugal.

The northerners are enjoying a fine season to date. Tiago Estêvão looks at the reasons why and the possibility of it continuing.

Pedro Martins has consolidated his status as one of the best managers in the Portuguese League over the last few years – the ex-Sporting player has led Marítimo and Rio Ave to the Europa League and was brought to Vitória with the objective of bringing European football to what many believe are the best set of fans in the country, yet again.

Huge week ahead for Portugal’s Big Three – Champions League permutations

Just a fortnight after being beaten 6-0 by the same opponent, Marítimo caused an upset by becoming the first team to defeat Benfica in the Liga NOS this season, winning 2-1 in Funchal on Friday night.

Sporting saw off Vitória Setúbal 2-0 at Alvalade on Saturday to move to within two points of their city rivals, one week before the Lisbon derby.

Porto ended a goal drought that had lasted over 8 hours as a last-gasp winner from young substitute striker Rui Pedro gave the Dragons victory over Braga.

Porto’s goalless draw at Belenenses on the weekend, in conjunction with Braga’s 6-2 thumping of Feirense last night, saw the Dragons fall to fourth place in the standings.

Out of the Portuguese Cup and making hard work of a seemingly straightforward Champions League group, a section of Porto’s supporters showed their discontent at coach Nuno Espírito Santo for the first time after Saturday’s blank in Lisbon, with a number of white handkerchiefs waved at the end of the 90 minutes.

The Porto manager cut a disconsolate figure as he trudged off the Restelo pitch in the rain, head bowed. Porto are back in action tonight in the Taça da Liga, the opponents again Beleneneses only this time at the Estádio do Dragão. However, it is the following two games, also at home, against Braga and then Leicester that could be pivotal to Porto’s season… and Nuno’s future.