Portuguese Football in English
There is no doubt about the game of the weekend in Portugal as Vitória SC look to continue their sensational form this season against FC Porto at the Dom Afonso Henriques stadium on Saturday evening.
Elsewhere leaders Sporting host AVS at Alvalade, while Benfica, Braga and Famalicão face potentially tricky trips to Boavista, Nacional and Moreirense respectively. PortuGOAL previews the action.
After several years of mediocre performances in European competition by Portugal’s club sides, 2024/25 could mark a turning point judging by results thus far.
After the near perfect qualifying rounds by Vitória and Braga in the UEFA Conference League and Europa League respectively, both Sporting and Benfica began their Champions League campaign with victories this week.
The goal is to recuperate sixth place from the Netherlands, which will earn Portugal an extra Champions League place in 2026/27 and increase the overall allocation of teams in Europe back up to six instead of the current five.
Crvena Zvezda 1-2 Benfica
Two games, two wins for new Benfica coach Bruno Lage. The Eagles began their Champions League campaign strongly in Serbia this afternoon, racing into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals in the opening half hour by Turkish duo Kerem Aktürkoglu and Orkun Kökçü.
Crvena Zvezda fought hard to get back into the game after the break, their pressure eventually telling when former Marítimo player Milson pulled a goal back late on to make it an uncomfortable final few minutes for Benfica.
The Lisbon club held on and begin the new format of the Champions League with an important three points.
A goal in each half by Viktor Gyökeres and Zeno Debast got Sporting’s Champions League campaign off to a positive start in Lisbon tonight against ten-man Lille.
The French outfit were proving a tough nut to crack until a fine Gyökeres strike and an Angel Gomes red card in quick succession shortly before half time turned the game in Sporting’s favour.
Belgian centre-back Zeno Debast scored a wondergoal in the second half to confirm the three points for the Lions in the new league format of Europe’s premier club competition. Tom Kundert reports from Alvalade.
Estrela da Amadora 2-2 Boavista
In a lively match at the Estádio José Gomes on the outskirts of Lisbon last night Estrela and Boavista divided the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Twice the visitors took the lead through Bruno Onyemaechi and Ilija Vukotic, but twice the hosts hit back with goals by Nani and Kikas.
