Portuguese Football in English
A fortnight ago all three Portuguese representatives in this season's Europa League won their games, but it was a very different story today.
A disastrous display by Sporting, who were two goals and a man down after just 18 minutes, led to an embarrassing 3-0 defeat against Skenderbeu in Albania.
Belenenses could not repeat their heroics of two weeks ago as they were turned over 2-0 by Basel in the Restelo, while Braga also lost, 1-0 in Marseille.
FC Porto continued their impressive Champions League campaign with a 3-1 victory against Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel on Wednesday night.
Israeli and BBC World Service journalist Raphael Geller was at the match for PortuGOAL and shares his thoughts on Porto’s performance.
Rui Vitória's Benfica side continued their impressive Champions League campaign with a fully deserved 2-1 victory over Turkish champions Galatasaray at the Estádio da Luz tonight.
Goals from Jonas and Luisão gave the Eagles the three points and put them top of Group C, virtually assured of their place in the round of 16 with two matchdays still to play.
Matchday 9 of the Liga NOS was another intriguing one for fans of all clubs.
All eyes were on Benfica's response to the derby loss last Sunday, as they travelled to Aveiro to face a struggling Tondela side, while Sporting returned to the Alvalade to take on Estoril.
And Rio Ave and Braga were hoping to continue their good form and keep the pressure on Sporting and Porto.
Last weekend’s Lisbon derby made waves all over the football world. BBC World Service sent correspondent Steve Crossman to the Portuguese capital to see what all the fuss was about.
His investigations included meeting a Fado singer, a family split by their allegiances and some Sporting ultras, as well as speaking to Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho and former Benfica player Diogo Luís. Read about and listen to his report of what certainly lived up to its billing as one of the great Benfica-Sporting encounters.
