A stoppage-time penalty converted by Pedro Porro got Sporting back to winning ways in Lisbon tonight as the Lions overcame an impressive Vizela 2-1.

Sporting went ahead through a Pedro Gonçalves goal on the hour mark and created enough chances to have built a comfortable lead, but Vizela were rewarded for their enterprising play with an equaliser by substitute Alex Méndez in the 75th minute.

It seemed the points would be shared but Vizela eventually cracked in the face of Sporting’s late pressure. 

Portugal forward Gonçalo Guedes has re-signed for Benfica in a loan deal from English club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

 “I can’t describe the happiness I’m feeling,” said the 26-year-old upon his return to the Portuguese capital. 

The Primeira Liga is recognised as one of the most exciting leagues in the world as well as one that produces hot soccer talent. In recent times, there has been a steady flow of young stars from this league making big moves abroad.

To cite a few recent examples, Nuno Mendes switched to Paris Saint-Germain after helping Sporting to their first league title in two decades, former Porto midfielder Vitinha is also settling in nicely in the French capital, while Fábio Carvalho, previously at Benfica’s academy, is becoming a key player for Liverpool. Portuguese brilliance is making waves around the world. 

A typically fiercely-contested Lisbon derby between Benfica and Sporting was one of the highlights of Liga Bwin’s 16th round of action, the pair playing out a 2-2 draw to allow the elsewhere victorious Braga and Porto to close the gap at the top of the table.

Paços Ferreira finally earned their first win of the season, defeating Rio Ave. Estoril and Gil Vicente also boosted their survival hopes, beating Casa Pia and Vitória Guimarães respectively.

One team arguably confounding expectations is Vizela, not getting involved in the relegation battle and in fact moving into the top half this week courtesy of triumph over Marítimo. Their number nine Milutin Osmajić has hit form of late, and his two-goal display at the weekend makes him our PortuGOAL Figure of the Week.