Sporting kept up the pressure on Benfica as a powerful demonstration of attacking football led to a 5-2 victory at Belenenses to move the Lions back to within two points of the Liga leaders. A brace each from Islam Slimani and Teo Gutiérrez, and an Adrien rocket provided the goals for Sporting, amid an avalanche of chances created by Jorge Jesus's side.

Earlier in the evening Tondela had provided the shock result of the season as the last-placed club beat FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão thanks to a second-half Luís Alberto goal. With six matches remaining the Dragons are surely out of the title race as the Blue and Whites continue to look unrecognisable from the all-conquering side of a few years ago.

It was expected to be a big test of Benfica’s title credentials on Friday night, as high-flying Braga visited the Portuguese capital.

Over 60,000 fans packed into the Estádio da Luz and two hours later the vast majority of them left the venue in euphoric mood after goals from Mitroglou (x2), Jonas (penalty), Pizzi and Samaris led to a thumping 5-1 win for the home side. Pedro Santos scored a late consolation from the penalty spot for Braga.

Benfica move a step closer to lifting a third successive Portuguese championship.

• Boavista

Back in July, I wrote an article on this site documenting how Boavista were preparing for the club’s second season back in the top-flight (click here for more on that). Within that article, I asked if the club might fall foul of the infamous “Second Season Syndrome” which affects so many sides around the world after a positive debut season at a higher level. Unfortunately for Os Axadrezados such as myself, it looks very much as though that has indeed been the case.

Let’s be clear, what the club achieved under Petit’s tutelage last season was nothing shy of a miracle. Having been promoted not one, but two levels into the Liga NOS, few gave the club any chance of avoiding the wooden spoon. However, thanks to shrewd signings and a collective battling spirit in the camp, the side from Oporto not only managed to avoid relegation, but did it comfortably with a 13th place finish and an 11 point cushion from the drop zone.

There can be little, if any, margin for error as we enter the final corner of the Liga NOS season, with matchday 27 looking to throw a spanner in the works for all of Portugal’s traditional ‘Big Three’.

In clear sight of top spot, Sporting hosted high-flying Arouca at the Estádio José Alvalade, whose hopes of playing European football could soon make its transition from a pipe dream to reality after recent outings.

The Estádio do Bonfim was the venue for the clash between top tier mainstays Vitória de Setúbal and FC Porto, both now with an outside chance of achieving their goals this season, whereas as far as the big boys go, Benfica closed the weekend away to relegation candidate Boavista.