Twenty-two days after the match kicked off, Porto beat Santa Clara in the Portuguese Cup quarter-final to set up a last-four encounter against Vitória.

The original game had been interrupted owing to torrential rain and a waterlogged pitch after 26 minutes, and the islanders made a dream start upon the resumption, scoring from the very throw-in from which the game restarted, through Rafael Martins.

Porto roared back after the interval, overwhelming the hosts, creating several chances and scoring twice in 15 minutes through Evanilson and Wenderson Galeno to turn around the tie, the go-ahead goal created by superb wing play from Francisco Conceição. 

Rio Ave earned a 3-3 draw against Sporting Clube de Portugal in an exciting Primeira Liga clash at Estádio dos Arcos.

The hosts took the lead in the 3rd minute when Úmaro Embaló stepped inside Geny Catamo and shot past Adán. Sporting equalised six minutes later when Morten Hjulmand volleyed into the bottom corner.

Both teams missed chances to take the lead before Amine Oudrhiri’s howler on the stroke of half-time saw Viktor Gyökeres pounce and score yet again.

The seesawing contest continued into added time when Nuno Santos fouled Costinha in the box, Abdul-Aziz Yakubu converting the penalty to make it 2-2 at the break.

The second half was a slow burner until the 67th minute when Adán took out Yakubu, the striker showing no hesitation in taking the penalty and sending the Spaniard the wrong way once again.

Sporting drew level six minutes later thanks to Sebastián Coates, the defender turned forward heading Hidemasa Morita’s cross home from close range.

Renato Pantalon was sent off in added time but the Lions were unable to find a late winner in Vila do Conde, Rúben Amorim’s side sitting two points behind Benfica with a game in hand.

Porto’s heroics against Arsenal in midweek were soon forgotten as the Dragons dropped points for the third time in four Liga games at Gil Vicente this afternoon.

Evanilson put the Dragons ahead from the penalty spot in the 55th minute, but Porto missed several chances to increase their lead and were punished when Thomás Luciano headed in a dramatic stoppage time equaliser to earn Gil Vicente a 1-1 draw.

At the Estádio da Luz Benfica had little trouble overcoming Portimonense, winning 4-0. 

The Eagles missed a host of chances in the first half but hit the visitors with three goals in four minutes early in the second half through Rafa Silva, David Neres and Ángel Di María. Rafa added a fourth in the 75th minute to make it 10 goals scored by Benfica in their last two home games. 

Benfica 0-0 Toulouse; Sporting 1-1 Young Boys

First-leg wins proved decisive as Benfica and Sporting both negotiated the second leg of their playoff ties to make it through to the next round of the Europa League tonight.

Benfica missed several chances to take a first-half lead in France, then survived a nervy second period as Toulouse spurned a number of presentable opportunities to level the aggregate score. The goalless draw was enough to see the Eagles through 2-1 on aggregate.

As for Sporting, Rúben Amorim must still be scratching his head and wondering how his team did not beat Young Boys for a second week running. The inevitable Viktor Gyökeres put the hosts ahead early on but the Lions missed a hatful of gilt-edged chances and a penalty before conceding a late penalty themselves, converted by Silvère Ganvoula. The 1-1 draw gave Sporting a 4-2 aggregate victory over the Swiss outfit.