• Santa Clara
• Conference League

The dream of seeing the league phase of a UEFA club competition in the Azores is over after Santa Clara drew 0-0 against Shamrock Rovers to lose their Conference League playoff 2-1 on aggregate.

The Portuguese team fought until the end at the Tallaght Stadium but ultimately failed to carve out enough chances against disciplined opposition.

When the draw was made hopes were high that Santa Clara could overcome the final hurdle to make the league phase of the competition having battled through two qualifying rounds, but the Irish team were deserved winners over the two legs.

Santa Clara came into the second leg trailing after Rovers had come from behind to win 2-1 in São Miguel last week. That Rovers were likely to be physically superior was a given, but both in the Azores and in their home stadium, Rovers showed themselves to be tactically astute with some good technicians in the eleven, Josh Honohan and Daniel Mandroiu especially impressing over the two games.

Gabriel Silva starts on the bench

Vasco Matos pulled off a surprise with his starting lineup by leaving star man Gabriel Silva on the bench, perhaps with the intention of bringing the pacey Brazilian on late to potentially do more damage against a tiring defence. Whether or not Gabriel would have made a difference we will never know, but Santa Clara were toothless until he came on well into the second half.

Serginho threatened early on with a firm shot from the edge of the box that was deflected wide with goalkeeper Ed McGinty struggling to get there, but that was the only chance of note for the visitors in the opening hour.

Rovers on the other hand were a whisker away from increasing their aggregate lead in the 36th minute, Josh Honohan showing good footwork to escape two defenders in the box and smash a rasping shot against the crossbar.

After the break veteran defender Roberto Lopes twice came close from headers as the hosts continued to look the more likely team to score.

On the hour mark Matos turned to his bench, brining on Gabriel Silva and Matheus Pereira, with Paulo Victor and Wendel making way.

McGinty denies Vinícius

Santa Clara at last fashioned a chance in the 70th minute. The indefatigable Sidney Lima swung over a cross from the right touchline, with Vinícius swivelling and connecting sweetly with the ball, sending it rocketing towards the net where McGinty showed tremendous reflexes and a strong wrist to deflect it over the bar.

With time running out Matos made three more changes, bringing on Elias Manoel, Lucas Soares and Pedro Ferreira, and the islanders were now working up a head of steam with the home team beginning to show signs of nerves.

Gabriel Silva sent a header narrowly wide, then the same player whipped in a free kick that goalkeeper McGinty could only parry into the six-yard box with no Santa Clara player able to pounce and get the decisive touch.

Deep into stoppage time the final chance for a dramatic leveller fell to Lucas Soares, but he could not get enough power on his shot.

Missed opportunity  

Santa Clara’s European adventure ends, they bow out with their head held high, but their fans will no doubt look upon the playoff result as a golden chance missed.

It should not be forgotten, however, that the Azorean outfit were playing second division football little over a year ago. The priority now will be to get their league campaign on track and attempt to repeat last season’s fifth-place finish.

Santa Clara: Gabriel Batista, Sidney Lima, Luís Rocha (Pedro Ferreira, 75’), MT, Diogo Calila (Lucas Soares, 76’), Adriano Firmino, Serginho, Paulo Victor (Matheus Pereira, 61’), Brenner Lucas (Elias Manoel, 75’), Wendel Silva (Gabriel Silva, 61’), Vinícius Lopes

• Benfica
• Champions League
• Jose Mourinho
• Fenerbahce

 SL Benfica 1-0 Fenerbahçe SK

European nights at the  Estádio da Luz are always special, but Wednesday’s clash against Fenerbahçe had a unique feel. There was a tension in the air as the sea of red and white shirts approached the stadium, and it was easy to feel the gravity and enormity of the occasion. The stakes were high, and after an evenly matched 0-0 draw in the first leg, the Eagles needed a result if they hoped to keep their Champions League dream alive.

Benfica rose to the occasion, playing some phenomenal football to secure a vital 1-0 win. Ironically, it was Kerem Aktürkoğlu, a former Galatasaray player and a reported Fenerbahçe target, who scored the only goal of the game — a brilliant right-footed finish that turned out to be the difference. Benfica will now progress to the group/league phase of the Champions League for a fifth consecutive season.

Mourinho’s return to the Estádio da Luz

Standing in the way of Benfica and a place in the prestigious (and highly lucrative) league phase was a talented Fenerbahçe side, and two-time Champions League winner José Mourinho. Regarded as one of Portugal’s great tacticians, Mourinho is a specialist in progressing in European competitions, even under the most challenging circumstances.  

Mourinho earned his first-ever managerial position with Benfica back in 2000, and 25 years later, he had returned to Lisbon with one motive: to eliminate the club from Champions League contention.  

The 62-year-old has a great record against Benfica dating back to his early coaching days in Portugal, but this was arguably one of the most talented Benfica sides he has faced. His team was unable to slow down a rampant Benfica that produced one of their best performances of the season. 

The Estádio da Luz is electric tonight as Benfica take on Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahçe for a place in the Champions League league phase. #BenficaFenerbahce pic.twitter.com/iypV1iCcIi

— Sahir Bhojwani (@RMsuffered4us) August 27, 2025

Early VAR controversy, Barrera’s disallowed goal

Benfica manager Bruno Lage made changes to the side that took the pitch against Tondela this weekend, coming out with a more defensive group. Leandro Barreiro returned to the lineup as cover for Florentino, who was red-carded in the first leg, and Vangelis Pavlidis was selected as the lone striker.  

The Eagles came out with intent and purpose, pushing forward early on. In the third minute, Barrera had a glorious opportunity to put the home side ahead, but fired directly into keeper Dominik Livakovic after connecting with a cross.  

The Benfica supporters were delighted when Pavlidis had the ball in the back of the net in the 11th minute. Their celebrations were short-lived, though. Mourinho protested the goal vehemently, waving his hands in the air as he put pressure on the referee to take a second look at the incident. A lengthy video review eventually deemed that Barrera was offside, a harsh decision considering the player didn’t seem to be interfering with play.

In the 22nd minute, there was more controversy to come. Barreiro was once again involved, heading the ball into the net after finding some space at the back post. There didn’t appear to be much contact, but once again, the goal was disallowed after the Luxembourg midfielder was judged to have fouled Archie Brown. It was another contentious whistle, and the Benfiquistas were starting to grow restless after another decision went against them. 

Aktürkoğlu breaks the deadlock with stunning goal

The pressure was non-stop from the Lisbon side. Another shot from Rios sailed just wide in the 28th minute, and it was all Benfica at the half-hour mark.  

Fenerbahçe were happy to take their time and chose to focus on keeping their shape instead of taking any unnecessary chances. In the 33rd minute, they earned a free kick from a dangerous spot. Talisca, who is more than capable of the spectacular, wasted the chance when he hammered his strike straight into the wall.

In the 35th minute, the goal finally came. Benfica’s relentless effort finally paid off. Ironically, it was the Turkish winger who broke the deadlock after some sloppy defending from the visitors. The ball fell to Barreiro, who could have shot himself, but chose to unselfishly deliver the ball to the winger on the left side of the box, who curled a spectacular right-footed shot that few keepers on the planet would’ve been able to save.

As the half was coming to a close, the ball once again fell to Barreiro just in front of the goal. He had little time to react and failed to connect properly with a powerful cross into the six-yard box. Barreiro was energetic and lively in the first half, but if his finishing had been a little sharper, Benfica could have easily been two or three goals up going into the break. 

Benfica’s defence holds firm to close out thrilling European encounter

Fenerbahçe came out with a more direct approach in the second half, opting for a more open formation and pressing the Benfica players. Benfica’s defenders, however, held firm. António Silva was exceptional on the night, reminding viewers around Europe why he was such a highly rated prospect when he broke into the Benfica first team a few years ago. Newly signed right-back Amar Dedic also had a strong outing. Richard Rios was a wall in the centre of the park, halting any penetration from the Fenerbahçe midfielders. 

Benfica did have their chances to close out the tie. Pavlidis angled his shot wide after linking up with Fredrik Aursnes in the 57th minute. Pavlidis was undeterred, earning a corner in the 60th minute, which Silva almost headed in for Benfica’s second. A remarkable save from Livakovic kept the deficit at one goal.

Benfica refused to sit back and play out a one-goal victory, and they were nearly punished for it. Fenerbache’s best chance came in the 71st minute when a header from El-Nesyri hit the crossbar. The visitors were inches away from levelling a game that Benfica, until that point, had dominated.

Lage turned to his substitutes in the 76th minute, bringing on Andreas Schjelderup and Franjo Ivanovic.

Late in the match, the referee was under the spotlight again, this time for handing out a second yellow card to Talisca for what appeared to be an elbow on Enzo Barrenechea. It was a major setback for Fenerbache as they looked to claw their way back with under 10 minutes remaining.

Mourinho’s team did their best with 10 men, playing a series of long balls. In the end, Benfica were able to hold on for a vital 1-0 victory to join 35 other teams in the league stage of the competition. 

Benfica XI: Anatoliy Trubin, Amar Dedic, Nicolás Otamendi, António Silva, Samuel Dahl, Richard Ríos, Enzo Barrenechea, Fredrik Aursnes, Leandro Barreiro, Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Andreas Schjelderup, 76’), Vangelis Pavlidis (Franjo Ivanovic, 76’)

Fenerbahçe XI: Dominik Livakovic, Mert Muldur, Milan Skriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde, Nélson Semedo, Sebastian Szymanski, Sofyan Amrabat, Fred, Archie Brown, Anderson Talisca, Youssef En-Nesyri

Goals:[1-0] Kerem Aktürkoglu, 35’

• Braga
• AFS

Braga’s perfect start in the Primeira Liga came to an end after an entertaining 2-2 draw against AFS at the Quarry.

Rodrigo Zalazar converted a penalty in the 23rd minute before AFS fought back and took a 2-1 lead into half-time. Rafael Barbosa equalised with a comedy goal and Diego Duarte punished multiple errors to leave the home crowd stunned.

The Warriors dominated after the break but had to wait until the 87th minute to equalise, Leonardo Lelo’s pinpoint cross headed home by Fran Navarro.

Carlos Vicens and his side will be disappointed after ending the contest with 76% possession, 21-4 shots and 2.31-0.42 expected goals, Braga blowing a golden opportunity to maintain the pace at the top of the table.

Braga 2-2 AVS

AFS were well off the pace in the early stages, losing possession in a dangerous position which resulted in Pau Víctor narrowly missing the target. Roger Fernandes and Jean-Baptiste Gorby gave Simão some catching practice before Braga opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.

Roger drove into the box, bamboozled Leonardo Rivas and drew a foul from the defender, referee João Gonçalves showing no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Rodrigo Zalazar stepped up and converted the penalty off the post but the floodgates failed to open.

The visitors equalised five minutes later following a comedy goal that came straight from the circus. Guillem Molina’s deep cross found Tunde Akinsola who mistimed his volley and Rafael Barbosa failed to connect cleanly, Lukas Hornicek diving in anticipation which saw the ball roll agonisingly over the line.

Zalazar headed Leonardo Lelo’s against the post before AFS took the lead in the 34th minute. Hornicek and Gustaf Lagerbielke were unable to clear the ball, Barbosa steering Diogo Spencer’s wayward pass to Diego Duarte who strolled past Lagerbielke and fired past Hornicek.

Roger went through on goal before the break but was unable to pull the trigger, Rivas doing well to do get back and knock the winger off balance.

Braga started the second half on the front foot, José Mota wasting little time in bringing on Pedro Lima and Guilherme Neiva for Barbosa and Akinsola. Carlos Vicens made two changes, Roger and Amine El Ouazzani making way for Mario Dorgeles and Gabri Martínez.

Zalazar fired wide and Víctor tested Simão as Vicens went to his bench again in the 79th minute, going for broke by replacing Lagerbielke and Víctor with Sandro Vidigal and Fran Navarro.

It paid off as the Warriors eventually equalised in the 87th minute, a pinpoint cross from Lelo finding Navarro who beat Simão to the ball and headed it into the net.

Braga 2-2 AVS highlights

• Casa Pia

A first-half masterclass from FC Porto was enough to see Francesco Farioli’s side cruise to a 4-0 victory against Casa Pia AC, and walk away with their third consecutive league win this season. Porto have been outstanding over the first month of the campaign, but this was undoubtedly their best performance to date. Two goals from Borja Sainz, along with goals from William Gomes and Alberto Costa, were enough to see them join Sporting CP and Moreirense FC atop the Primeira Liga table, and ensured the fans at the Estádio do Dragão finished off their weekends with a smile on their face. 

This was a lopsided affair from start to finish. Porto took charge early on and never reliquished control. Sainz will receive the plaudits after scoring twice, but this was a complete team performance. Victor Froholdt, William Gomes, Luuk de Jong, Alberto Costa and Zaidu Sanusi all had exceptional outings. Porto went into the game without Samu Aghehowa, but showed that they have plenty of depth in their frontline even without last year’s top scorer. 

For Casa Pia and manager João Pereira, it will be back to the drawing board. The Lisbon club showed some promising signs last weekend, recording a 2-0 victory over AVS. Pereira began this game with virtually the same side (defensive midfielder Iyad Mohamed replaced the injured Yassin Oukili), but this was a dismal display from the visitors. They were outplayed against a Porto side that showed flowing football, and the visitors failed to work themselves back into the match after the opening goal.