Portuguese Football in English
Matchday 11 had a sprinkling of Liga NOS games spread across four days. And it proved to be another lively weekend of action.
This weekend saw Petit leave his post in charge of Boavista after another defeat, a goal-fest of a Madeiran derby and Benfica answer a few questions from the critics. There was also a clash on Sunday evening between two Europa League hopefuls.
A last-gasp winner against Slovan Liberec by substitute Crislan (pictured) gave Braga a fourth win in five Europa League matches last night, thus booking Braga's place in the knockout stage of the competition.
Sporting maintained their excellent form, producing a vibrant display to beat Lokomotiv Moscow 4-2 in sub-zero temperatures in the Russian capital. The Lions will qualify for the next round if they beat Besiktas at the Alvalade in their last match.
A low-key goalless draw between Belenenses and Lech Poznan at the Restelo kept hopes of qualification for Sá Pinto's side alive, at least in theory. But to make progress, the Azuis have to go to Italy and beat Fiorentina, and hope the result in the other group game goes their way.
FC Porto began their home match against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday evening with good possibilities of finishing top of Group G. After an abject display and 2-0 defeat, the Dragons must now win at Chelsea on matchday six to have a realistic chance of remaining in the Champions League beyond Christmas.
Benfica, on the other hand, are celebrating qualification for the knockout stage of Europe's premier club competition for only the third time this century after a 2-2 draw in Kazakhstan against Astana.
Sporting came from behind to beat Benfica in extra time and make progress to the 5th round of the Portuguese Cup in a typically intense Lisbon derby at the Alvalade tonight.
Mitroglou gave Benfica an early lead, with Adrien equalising for the hosts on the stroke of half time.
No more goals were added until near the end of extra time when Islam Slimani continued his knack of striking at the crucial moment, netting what turned out to be the winner in the 112th minute.
Sandwiched between European commitments and the upcoming Seleção matches, all of Portugal's Big Three were in action this Sunday - a rare occurrence in the Liga NOS.
Benfica and FC Porto put in dominant displays to beat Boavista and Vitória Setúbal respectively, both with 2-0 wins at home. Gonçalo Guedes and Carcela scored for Benfica, while for the Dragons Aboubakar and Miguel Layún were on the mark.
Later in the night, for a long time it looked like Sporting would have their lead cut at the top of the table as a well-organised Arouca side kept the Lions at bay. But after Arouca had seen a loud penalty shout turned down and Sporting had been reduced to ten men, Algerian striker Slimani scored a 90th-minute winner to give Jorge Jesus's team all three points.
