Portuguese Football in English
There was much to play for in the Liga NOS this weekend.
After an indifferent week for Portuguese clubs in European competition, some had something to prove to their respective supporters, while others were desperate for points to join them on the continent next season.
Others just needed points to get clear of the basement.
Sporting and Braga will join FC Porto in Monday's Europa League draw. The Lisbon club came back from a goal down to beat Besiktas 3-1 at the Alvalade and book their place in the knockout stage of the competition.
Braga, who had already qualified for the next phase, finished top of Group F thanks to a goalless draw in the Netherlands against Groningen. Belenenses succumbed to a single goal defeat in Italy against Fiorentina to go out.
There is an old proverb. “To the victor go the spoils”. That could be taken literally tonight as Porto visited Chelsea for the 8th competitive fixture between these two sides, knowing that they needed to win or hope that Maccabi Tel Aviv could do them a favour, to advance to the knockout stages.
Stamford Bridge in West London was the setting, with the natives restless after a poor domestic season thus far. Porto coach Julen Lopetegui has also received his fair share of criticism lately and surprised many with his tactics and starting XI.
The Champions League group stage came to an end for half of the participants in this year's tournament last night, with plenty of Portuguese protagonists.
Benfica fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Atletico Madrid, and as a result finished second in Group C. Nevertheless, the Eagles qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament for only the third time this century.
Elsewhere Cristiano Ronaldo was busy breaking records again, hitting four goals past hapless Malmo in an 8-0 victory for Real Madrid. English giants Manchester United are out of the Champions League after losing 3-2 in Germany to Wolfsburg, for whom Portugal international Vieirinha scored one of the goals.
With one third of the championship now played, Portugal's traditional Big Three are starting to pull clear at the top of the Primeira Liga table.
On Friday night Benfica beat Académica 3-0, the match highlight being a stupendous goal on his home debut by 18-year-old Renato Sanches (pictured). On Saturday Porto came from behind to beat Paços de Ferreira 2-1 at the Estádio do Dragão. Sporting therefore kicked off their match in Madeira needing to beat Marítimo o stay top, and duly did so thanks to a beautifully worked goal from Adrien.
Other highlights included Vitória Setúbal's 3-0 win at Belenenses, Arouca beating Boavista 3-2 and a rare win for União da Madeira.
