Santa Clara made a spectacular start to life back in the Primeira Liga by outplaying Estoril Praia to register a 4-1 victory in the season opener at a sunbaked Estádio António Coimbra da Mota this afternoon.

Alejandro Marques gave Estoril the lead in the 19th minute against the run of play but Vinícius Lopes equalised for the islanders on the stroke of half time.

Alisson Safira from the penalty spot, and substitutes Ricardinho and João Costa scored in the second half for the visitors to maintain the momentum for last season’s Segunda Liga champions. 

• Porto

Porto’s Primeira Liga campaign began with a regulation 3-0 win against Gil Vicente at Estádio do Dragão.

The Dragons monopolised possession and took the lead from the penalty spot in the 30th minute. Jonathan Buatu handled the ball and was spotted by the VAR, Galeno squeezing his spot kick past Andrew.

Nico González volleyed Gonçalo Borges’ cross over the bar but Borges’ next delivery would be converted in the 59th minute, Iván Jaime given roo much time and space to stroke the ball past Andrew.

The contest was but beyond any doubt in the 70th minute when Nico González was brought down by Andrew, Danny Namaso stepping up and sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Sandro Cruz was sent off for a second booking but the Dragons couldn’t extend their advantage.

PortuGOAL’s Matthew Marshall reports from the Estádio do Dragão

Sporting won 17 out of 17 home matches on their way to a championship triumph last season and the Lions began the new campaign with another convincing win at Alvalade against a largely inoffensive Rio Ave.

A first-half brace by man-of-the-match Pedro Gonçalves was reward for a dominant opening 45 minutes from Sporting.

Viktor Gyökeres made it 3-0 just after the hour mark, before Clayton Silva scored a fine consolation goal for the visitors in the 90th minute.

Tom Kundert reports from Alvalade. 

• Braga

Braga’s Europa League hopes took a blow at the Quarry after a 0-0 draw against Servette in the third qualifying round first leg.

The Swiss side saw an early goal ruled out for offside before Matheus produced a fine save to deny Alexis Antunes.

Enzo Crivelli volleyed wide and Miroslav Stevanovic couldn’t connect cleanly as Braga limped off the pitch at half-time.

The Warriors improved in the second half but couldn’t beat Jérémy Frick, the goalkeeper doing well to deny Rodrigo Zalazar and Amine El Ouazzani.

Daniel Sousa’s side turn their attention to the Primeira Liga where they host Estrela da Amadora on Sunday.