Not even a biblical style downpour can stop FC Porto. The Dragons beat Academica 1-0 in a game played in atrocious weather conditions. Benfica also won ahead of the clash of the titans next week.
FC Porto made it 15 wins in 16 games in all competitions this season thanks to Silvestre Varela’s stunning volley against Academica on a stormy night in Coimbra.
Benfica also won, 2-0 versus Paços de Ferreira. The Eagles were set on their way by a marvellous Pablo Aimar goal, evoking memories of a certain other diminutive Argentine of yesteryear. The victories for Porto and Benfica set the scene for a fascinating battle between Portugal’s two biggest clubs next week.
Braga’s shock defeat at Rio Ave, together with Academica’s loss, left the door open for a host of sides playing later in the weekend to move into third place in the standings. Vitoria Guimaraes and Sporting duly took advantage with wins that moved them up to 3rd and 4th in the table respectively.
Benfica came out deserved 2-0 winners against Paços de Ferreira at the Estadio da Luz on Friday night, but the visitors deserve credit for playing their part in a highly entertaining contest.
Indeed, Benfica’s Roberto was the first goalkeeper called into action as he saved from Rondon and Maykon early on. Saviola then missed a golden chance to put the hosts ahead.
But in the 14th minute Pablo Aimar rolled back the years to score a sublime goal. Picking the ball up in his own half, the diminutive Argentine embarked on a Maradona-esque run past a host of defenders, which culminated in an unerring finish into the net from the edge of the box.
Saviola and Fabio Coentrao threatened to double Benfica’s lead, but Paços continued to play good football, and Roberto made two more excellent saves from Nuno Santos and Rondon to keep Jorge Jesus’ side ahead. Kardec made the game safe in the 65th minute from the penalty spot after Coentrao had been brought down in the box.
There was a big surprise in Vila do Conde as Rio Ave, bottom of the league and winless before the game, beat Braga 2-0.
Braga made a bright start but suffered a huge blow when defender Moises was given his marching orders before the half-hour mark for hauling down Yazalde in the box.
Joao Tomas missed the resulting penalty, but the hosts made their numerical advantage count as they gradually wore down the Arsenalistas. Second-half goals from Jose Gomes and Joao Tomas secured a precious three points for Carlos Brito’s team.
A superb acrobatic goal from Silvestre Varela gave FC Porto all three points against Academica on a stormy night in Coimbra.
Heavy rain all day and a torrential downpour during the first half put the game at serious risk of being abandoned. The match generated into something of a farce on the waterlogged pitch, but Silvestre Varela made light of the conditions to score a spectacular volley on the turn just before the break.
The driving rain thankfully abated in the second half and Porto proceeded to create a series of chances. Hulk and Falcao were unusually wasteful but the visitors were handed a golden opportunity to make the game safe in the 75th minute when Helder Cabral handled in the box to give away a penalty. Joao Moutinho stepped up but hit the spot kick against the post.
In the final seconds of stoppage time Hugo Morais struck a free-kick against the crossbar, but Porto held on to maintain their 7-point lead at the top of the table.
Maritimo earned an important point despite finishing the match against Olhanense in the Algarve with nine players following the sending off of Alonso and Baba.
The Madeira team took an early lead through Kleber, and were only pegged back with ten minutes remaining as Yontcha got on the scoresheet.
Nacional won a hard-fought match thanks to a header from striker Orlando Sa, on loan from FC Porto, in the 26th minute. The win moves the Madeira club up to seventh in the table, while Vitoria Setubal remain just behind Nacional in mid-table.
Naval are in deep trouble after falling to their fifth consecutive defeat at fellow strugglers Beira-Mar. The hosts struck twice in the opening half through Artur (penalty) and Leandro Tatu to take firm control of proceedings. Bolivia’s goal briefly threatened a comeback, but Wilson Eduardo confirmed the victory for the home side with a stoppage time goal.
Two superb first-half goals by Chilean midfielder Jaime Valdes gave Sporting victory and moved the Lions up to third place in the table. Carlao briefly pulled the hosts level but Sporting fully merited the win in an entertaining game.
With star striker Liedson out for a month Sporting coach Paulo Sergio opted to play with Helder Postiga as a lone striker, supported by Valdes as the second most advanced man. It worked a treat with the two combing well throughout.
In the 14th minute Postiga hit a long cross from the left flank that Valdes brought down expertly on his chest and volleyed into the net without letting the ball hit the ground. Leiria were playing their part in an open match, and Carlao grabbed an equaliser soon afterwards.
The winning goal shortly before half time was something special. Valdes picked up the ball on the left flank, cut inside and unleashed a venomous shot into the corner of the net that Leiria goalkeeper Gottardi was unable to stop despite getting his fingertips to the ball.
Vitoria Guimaraes continued their impressive season with an ultimately comfortable win that moved them up to 3rd place in the standings.
Portimonense began brightly and Guimaraes goalkeeper Nilson did well to deny Candeias and Renatinho, before Vitoria's beanpole striker Edgar earned and converted a penalty in the 39th minute. Things soon got worse for the Algarve side as Pedro Silva was sent off on the stroke of half time for speaking out of turn.
The hosts were much more comfortable in the second half. Maranhao doubled their lead and Edgar saw a header bounce back off the bar. Next weekend Guimaraes travel to Sporting in a mouth-watering encounter.
Benfica also won, 2-0 versus Paços de Ferreira. The Eagles were set on their way by a marvellous Pablo Aimar goal, evoking memories of a certain other diminutive Argentine of yesteryear. The victories for Porto and Benfica set the scene for a fascinating battle between Portugal’s two biggest clubs next week.
Braga’s shock defeat at Rio Ave, together with Academica’s loss, left the door open for a host of sides playing later in the weekend to move into third place in the standings. Vitoria Guimaraes and Sporting duly took advantage with wins that moved them up to 3rd and 4th in the table respectively.
Benfica came out deserved 2-0 winners against Paços de Ferreira at the Estadio da Luz on Friday night, but the visitors deserve credit for playing their part in a highly entertaining contest.
Indeed, Benfica’s Roberto was the first goalkeeper called into action as he saved from Rondon and Maykon early on. Saviola then missed a golden chance to put the hosts ahead.
But in the 14th minute Pablo Aimar rolled back the years to score a sublime goal. Picking the ball up in his own half, the diminutive Argentine embarked on a Maradona-esque run past a host of defenders, which culminated in an unerring finish into the net from the edge of the box.
Saviola and Fabio Coentrao threatened to double Benfica’s lead, but Paços continued to play good football, and Roberto made two more excellent saves from Nuno Santos and Rondon to keep Jorge Jesus’ side ahead. Kardec made the game safe in the 65th minute from the penalty spot after Coentrao had been brought down in the box.
There was a big surprise in Vila do Conde as Rio Ave, bottom of the league and winless before the game, beat Braga 2-0.
Braga made a bright start but suffered a huge blow when defender Moises was given his marching orders before the half-hour mark for hauling down Yazalde in the box.
Joao Tomas missed the resulting penalty, but the hosts made their numerical advantage count as they gradually wore down the Arsenalistas. Second-half goals from Jose Gomes and Joao Tomas secured a precious three points for Carlos Brito’s team.
A superb acrobatic goal from Silvestre Varela gave FC Porto all three points against Academica on a stormy night in Coimbra.
Heavy rain all day and a torrential downpour during the first half put the game at serious risk of being abandoned. The match generated into something of a farce on the waterlogged pitch, but Silvestre Varela made light of the conditions to score a spectacular volley on the turn just before the break.
The driving rain thankfully abated in the second half and Porto proceeded to create a series of chances. Hulk and Falcao were unusually wasteful but the visitors were handed a golden opportunity to make the game safe in the 75th minute when Helder Cabral handled in the box to give away a penalty. Joao Moutinho stepped up but hit the spot kick against the post.
In the final seconds of stoppage time Hugo Morais struck a free-kick against the crossbar, but Porto held on to maintain their 7-point lead at the top of the table.
Maritimo earned an important point despite finishing the match against Olhanense in the Algarve with nine players following the sending off of Alonso and Baba.
The Madeira team took an early lead through Kleber, and were only pegged back with ten minutes remaining as Yontcha got on the scoresheet.
Nacional won a hard-fought match thanks to a header from striker Orlando Sa, on loan from FC Porto, in the 26th minute. The win moves the Madeira club up to seventh in the table, while Vitoria Setubal remain just behind Nacional in mid-table.
Naval are in deep trouble after falling to their fifth consecutive defeat at fellow strugglers Beira-Mar. The hosts struck twice in the opening half through Artur (penalty) and Leandro Tatu to take firm control of proceedings. Bolivia’s goal briefly threatened a comeback, but Wilson Eduardo confirmed the victory for the home side with a stoppage time goal.
Two superb first-half goals by Chilean midfielder Jaime Valdes gave Sporting victory and moved the Lions up to third place in the table. Carlao briefly pulled the hosts level but Sporting fully merited the win in an entertaining game.
With star striker Liedson out for a month Sporting coach Paulo Sergio opted to play with Helder Postiga as a lone striker, supported by Valdes as the second most advanced man. It worked a treat with the two combing well throughout.
In the 14th minute Postiga hit a long cross from the left flank that Valdes brought down expertly on his chest and volleyed into the net without letting the ball hit the ground. Leiria were playing their part in an open match, and Carlao grabbed an equaliser soon afterwards.
The winning goal shortly before half time was something special. Valdes picked up the ball on the left flank, cut inside and unleashed a venomous shot into the corner of the net that Leiria goalkeeper Gottardi was unable to stop despite getting his fingertips to the ball.
Vitoria Guimaraes continued their impressive season with an ultimately comfortable win that moved them up to 3rd place in the standings.
Portimonense began brightly and Guimaraes goalkeeper Nilson did well to deny Candeias and Renatinho, before Vitoria's beanpole striker Edgar earned and converted a penalty in the 39th minute. Things soon got worse for the Algarve side as Pedro Silva was sent off on the stroke of half time for speaking out of turn.
The hosts were much more comfortable in the second half. Maranhao doubled their lead and Edgar saw a header bounce back off the bar. Next weekend Guimaraes travel to Sporting in a mouth-watering encounter.
