Benfica 3-2 Farense

Going into Wednesday's Primeira Liga match against Farense SC, SL Benfica knew that anything short of a victory would be a massive disappointment. With Sporting CP just three points ahead of the Benfica, Bruno Lage put out an attacking side against a Farense team that has struggled of late. The last time Farense visited the Estadio da Luz, they managed an unlikely 1-1 draw. The struggling Algrave club were not far off obtaining another shock draw, falling just short on this occasion.

Two goals from Turkish winger Kerem Aktürkoğlu were enough to see Benfica survive this tricky affair, with the home side holding on to a slender 3-2 victory to go level on points with Sporting. Benfica have now won eight consecutive league matches, scoring 22 goals over that stretch. The result leaves Farense's season hanging in the balance, They remain 17th place in the league, six points away from safety. 

Sahir Bhojwani reports from the Estádio da Luz.

It’s getting to crunch time in the Liga II promotion race. Tondela and Vizela are in the box seat in the two automatic promotion spots with seven matches remaining, but Alverca have not given up the chase.

As we approach the end of the season, both the promotion and relegation battles are getting tighter and tighter. This week we saw the end of some battles for some teams. 

A piece of technical brilliance from teenager Rodrigo Mora proved the difference as Porto ran out 2-1 winners at Estoril this afternoon.

Two penalties, converted by Begraoui and Samu, saw the teams go into the interval all square after a cagey opening 45 minutes of few chances. Both sides looked more dangerous in the second half, and it was Mora’s moment of magic, feinting his marker and firing into the roof of the net, that proved the difference.

Tom Kundert and Sahir Bhojwani report from the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota. 

It was an ugly game of football in Amadora tonight, but Sporting fans won’t worry about that as the reigning Portuguese champions responded to Benfica’s 3-0 victory at Gil Vicente yesterday with an away win by the same scoreline.

Sporting, with all five first-choice midfielders out injured or suspended, never got going in a scrappy match. Recent Seleção hero Francisco Trincão had a stinker and Geovany Quenda – apart from his goal – also struggled for most of the night. It was a poor all-round performance from the Lions, especially considering Estrela left-back Guilherme Montoia was sent off in the 34th minute.

One player who never plays in second gear though is Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish striker again demonstrated why he is such a difference-maker in Portuguese football, smashing in two penalties, inventing an excellent assist for Quenda, and generally terrorising any unfortunate defender tasked with trying to stop a player who transforms into an authentic human wrecking ball whenever he steps onto a football pitch.

Sporting go three points clear of Benfica at the top of the table but have played a game more.