With seven games remaining in the Portuguese Primeira Liga season, Porto refuse to give up the chase on the leaders Benfica. FC Porto are in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League where they meet Bayern Munich in the first-leg at home on Wednesday (15 April) with the possibility that their quest for European glory could see their domestic form suffer.
There was no indication of that when they demolished Estoril 5-0 with goals from Oliver, Aboubakar, Quaresma (2) and Danilo.
Four days earlier, on Good Friday, FC Porto had been shocked by Marítimo as the islanders reached the final of the Portugal Cup for the first time for twenty years. The Dragons manager Julen Lopetegui left out regulars Danilo, Alex Sandro, Brahimi and Tello. Evandro gave Porto the lead after half-an-hour but Bruno Gallo levelled from the penalty spot five minutes later.
The Madeirans then took the lead just before the break as a corner was flicked on first by foot, then by head, to the far post where Moussa Marega headed into the corner of the net. The win means Marítimo will meet Benfica in the final at the end of April.
A double from Jonas and a first-half strike from Lima gave Benfica victory over the other Madeira team Nacional. Substitute Rodrigues scored a consolation goal with fifteen minutes to go.
Benfica will be concerned that their attacking midfielder Talisca only lasted fifteen minutes when joining the game with twenty minutes remaining. The young Brazilian has been likened to Yaya Touré and Neymar and has scored eleven goals in 34 appearances in his first season with the Lisbon giants.
Sporting Lisbon can now only hope for Europa League qualification after drawing at Paços de Ferreira. Slimani netted for the visitors after half-an-hour but the home side drew level when Galo scored fifteen minutes from time.
In the 2nd Division SC Portimonense won 2-0 at Braga’B’ and SC Farense lost 2-0 away at Aves. SC Olhanense entertained high-flying Benfica ‘B’ and went down 2-1 with Rodrigo scoring five minutes from time after the cultured João Teixeira and Victor Andrade had given The Eagles a 2-0 lead. Tomorrow (Saturday) Olhanense are at home to Freamunde at the José Arcanjo Stadium, Olhão (behind McDonalds on the EN125) kick-off 4pm.