Portuguese Football in English
Sporting 8-0 Casa Pia
There is little sign of Sporting Clube de Portugal feeling the pressure atop the Primeira Liga.
Exuding confidence from the kick-off, the Lions responded to victories by Porto and Benfica earlier in the round by thrashing a fragile Casa Pia team 8-0 at Alvalade tonight to reclaim first place in the standings.
Sebastián Coates, Viktor Gyökeres and Francisco Trincão each hit braces, with Pedro Gonçalves and Geny Catamo also getting their names on the scoresheet.
Estrela 1-4 Benfica
Benfica have momentarily surpassed Sporting at the top of the table after defeating Estrela da Amadora 4-1 away from home, this evening.
The Eagles were forced to come from behind after Léo Jabá’s opener placed the hosts a goal up in the 28th minute.
The turnaround was complete before the first half was even up, however, as Arthur Cabral and Rafa Silva both emerged to get their names on the scoresheet.
Nicolas Otamendi’s second-half finish added some much-needed breathing space to Benfica’s otherwise complex night, completed by a third goal in as many games late on for Marcos Leonardo, signing out a 4-1 win at the Reboleira.
Whisper it quietly, but after looking out of sorts for the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, FC Porto are working up a formidable head of steam for the final months of the season.
The Blue and Whites made light work of a tricky-looking fixture in the Algarve, beating Farense 3-1 thanks to a double from the red-hot Evanilson and an Alan Varela goal, with Bruno Duarte scoring for the home side.
Braga 1-1 Estoril (Braga win 5-4 on penalties)
It was far from straightforward but Braga did justice to their favourites tag by beating Estoril in the final of the Portuguese league cup in Leiria tonight to claim the first major piece of silverware of the Portuguese domestic season.
Estoril took an early lead through a Cassiano penalty, but Braga responded quickly via an exceptional long-range volley from captain Ricardo Horta. A largely attritional match ensued with no further goals, the northerners coming out on top in the penalty shootout.
Benfica 1-1 Estoril (Estoril win penalty shootout 5-4)
Estoril caused a shock in Leiria tonight, knocking Benfica out of the Portuguese league cup with a penalty shootout victory after an entertaining semi-final had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.
An early goal from the ever-impressive Rafik Guitane gave Estoril a half-time lead. Benfica captain Nicolás Otamendi equalised on the hour mark, but despite creating several clear chances the Eagles could not score the winner.
