Portuguese Football in English
Portuguese managers are enjoying a fine start to the new 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro season, with Luso bosses occupying the top three places after four matchdays of Brazil’s top flight.
Luis Castro’s Botafogo are the only team with a 100% record and lead the standings, followed by Abel Ferreira’s champions Palmeiras and newly-promoted Cruzeiro, led by Pepa, in third place. Meanwhile, new arrivals Ivo Vieira, Renato Paiva and Pedro Caixinha are also finding their feet in new surroundings.
The future of João Félix is likely to be the subject of much speculation over the coming months, with the Portugal international’s turbulent loan spell at Chelsea leaving questions over where he will play next season. Félix offered another glimpse into his potential for the Blues by coming off the bench to score in a much-needed victory at Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Also in England, there was a first goal in the colours of Wolverhampton Wanderers for defender Toti, whose winner gave his side a precious win over Aston Villa. In France, Vitinha got his second goal in the space of four matches as Paris Saint-Germain close in on the Ligue 1 title, while there was a goal for ex-Seleção man Adrien Silva in the United Arab Emirates.
It was a fantastic weekend for Portuguese players scoring decisive goals in various countries throughout Europe, as the season draws towards a conclusion across the continent. Perhaps most dramatically, Fábio Silva scored the winning penalty in PSV’s shootout win over Ajax in the Dutch cup final, earning his first winners’ medal outside Portugal.
Diogo Jota also settled Liverpool’s victory over Tottenham with a desperately late strike, while Bruno Fernandes and Jota continued the match-winning theme with goals for Manchester United and Celtic. Elsewhere, André Gomes bagged a superb brace for Lille in France and Cristiano Ronaldo returned to goalscoring form in Saudi Arabia.
Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Bruno Fernandes scored a vital winning goal for Manchester United against Aston Villa on Sunday in the Premier League, as the Portugal midfielder admitted he is not at full fitness for the Red Devils.
Fernandes struck five minutes before half time to give United three points which hugely boosted their hopes of securing a top four finish and returning to Champions League football next season.
Rangers 0-1 Celtic
Portuguese forward Jota was the matchwinner in the Old Firm Derby this weekend as Scottish champions Celtic booked their place in the FA Cup final with victory over Rangers.
The Glasgow rivals met at Hampden Park to battle it out for the right to meet Inverness CT in the final on 2nd June. One goal separated the sides on the day, with former Benfica man Jota heading the winner a few minutes before half time to keep the Hoops on course for a treble.
