Portuguese Football in English
Despite coming off a defeat and an exhausting recent schedule, and falling behind in the 3rd minute to a tremendous Makouta goal, Sporting turned around the result in style against Boavista at Alvalade tonight and stay firm at the top of the table.
Strikers Viktor Gyökeres and Paulinho helped themselves to five goals, the Swede at his unplayable best netting a hat-trick, and Nuno Santos also found the target as Sporting ran out 6-1 winners.
Casa Pia 0-1 Benfica
Benfica have kept the pressure on at the top of the Primeira Liga table after defeating Casa Pia 1-0 at the Rio Maior stadium, this Sunday.
Arthur Cabral was the difference-maker in a game that was frustratingly locked at 0-0 throughout large periods between the two Lisbon emblems.
Coming off the bench, the oft-maligned Brazilian forward unlocked the game with a curling effort coming into the box, tilting all three points Benfica’s way.
FC Porto 4-1 Vizela
FC Porto bounced back from their midweek Champions League elimination with a strong display at home to ten-man Vizela, defeating the relegation candidates 4-1 at the Estádio do Dragão, this Saturday.
The night started with a degree of concern as captain Pepe put the visitors ahead with an own goal that left both he and his keeper, Diogo Costa, in a state of confusion.
A second yellow card for Vizela’s Matías Lacava in the 49th minute inspired a comeback, however, as goals from Francisco Conceição in the 55th minute and Pepê in the 68th minute helped set up a turnaround.
Evanilson got in on the act by landing Porto’s third goal of the game before Toni Martínez, a minute from time, added the finishing touches to a comprehensive victory.
Atalanta 2-1 Sporting (aggregate: 3-2)
Sporting’s Europa League campaign is over after their Italian nemesis this season Atalanta again got the better of them, winning 2-1 in Bergamo for a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Things were looking up for the Lions when they went into the break leading on the night and on aggregate thanks to a beautifully worked Pedro Gonçalves strike.
But two goals early in the second half put the Serie A outfit on top. Sporting created clear chances to equalise but could not find the net to take the game into extra time, and bow out of Europe at the last-16 stage.
Benfica advanced to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals after a hard fought 1-0 victory over Rangers at Ibrox.
Anatolii Trubin denied Tom Lawrence early on and Cyriel Dessers’s shot was deflected wide just after half-time.
Casper Tengstedt came off the bench and couldn’t convert a presentable chance, the decisive moment coming in the 66th minute when Benfica’s danger men combined with lethal effect.
Ángel Di María released Rafa Silva who ran clear and scored, initially ruled offside before VAR revealed he was narrowly inside his own half.
Philippe Clement brought on his big guns but Trubin wasn’t tested, the Eagles closing it out to become the first Portuguese club to beat Rangers at Ibrox in 12 attempts.
