Sporting only top-five team to win
On a weekend when the long winning runs of Benfica and Porto were halted, the upshot was that both of the fierce rivals now depend only on themselves to win the championship.
Benfica travelled to Rio Ave and lost 2-1, while Porto were unable to take full advantage as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Nacional da Madeira. There are now three points separating the top two, with the Eagles hosting the Dragons at the end of April in what has the makings of an authentic title decider.
Sporting's 4-1 victory against Vitória Guimarães in Lisbon, along with Braga's goalless home draw against Académica all but sealed third spot for the Lions.
Rio Ave 2-1 Benfica
Benfica have struggled in their away matches in recent weeks, so a trip to an improving Rio Ave was seen as a potential banana skin, especially as Benfica were without the suspended Gaitán.
Nevertheless, six straight victories saw the Eagles go into the game in confident mood, once again backed by a tremendous contingent of travelling fans. And Jorge Jesus's men had the perfect start when a lovely diagonal throughball by Pizzi was neatly turned into the net by Salvio.
Things got even worse for Rio Ave as top scorer Hassan and defensive cornerstone Marcelo both had to go off injured before half time.
But the home team came roaring back in the second half against a strangely apathetic Benfica side. Ukra equalised from the penalty spot after Samaris had handled in the box, and when Luisão was sent off for bringing down Tiago Pinto with five minutes remaining Pedro Martins and his team sensed blood.
The winner duly came, in the final seconds as Del Valle fired in from a tight angle.
Nacional 1-1 FC Porto
Porto kicked off shortly after the Benfica game had finished, so the Dragons knew they had the perfect chance to cut the gap between the top two to just one point.
Despite a lacklustre first half from the Blue and Whites, Cristian Tello came up with a super individual effort just before the break, finding the top corner from the edge of the box despite being surrounded by Nacional defenders. The Spaniard continues his rich vein of form.
Porto failed to build on their lead, though, with Nacional proving much more dangerous during the second 45 minutes. The Islanders got their equaliser through substitute Wagner, and should have taken the lead soon afterwards but Luca João produced one of the misses of the season as he ballooned an inviting cross over the bar from just six yards out.
The point was enough to put Porto's destiny in their own hands, although to get the head-to-head advantage and ensure they finish above Benfica if the teams are level on points at the end of the season, Julen Loptegui's side must better Benfica's 2-0 scoreline in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, when the two giants clash in Week 30 in late April.
Sporting 4-1 Vitória Guimarães
Sporting seem to have recovered their mojo as a dominant display at the Alvalade allowed the hosts to exact revenge for the three-goal hammering they took at the Dom Afonso stadium in the reverse fixture.
João Mário got the ball rolling early on, profiting from a peach of a cross by Carrillo to head powerfully into the top corner of the net. The lead was doubled on 34 minutes as Adrien shot home from the penalty spot, and Slimani made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time after superb work by Sporting right-back Miguel Lopes, deputising for the suspended Cédric.
Credit to Rui Vitória's motivational skills as the visitors came out more determined and unafraid to attack after the break. However, a second penalty, this time converted by Nani, extended Sporting's lead.
What appeared set to be a perfect night for Sporting was slightly soured in the final ten minutes as Paulo Oliveira was sent off and Kanu scored a consolation for Vitória. Third-placed Sporting are now nine points clear of Braga in 4th, and with Porto having to travel to the Estádio da Luz, Marco Silva's men will not have given up all hope of catching Porto, six points above them.
Week 26 results
Arouca 3-1 Gil Vicente
Braga 0-0 Académica
Boavista 1-0 Belenenses
Estoril 3-3 Penafiel
Moreirense 1-1 Marítimo
Nacional 1-1 FC Porto
Rio Ave 2-1 Benfica
Sporting 4-1 Vitória Guimarães
Tomorrow: Vitória Setúbal-Paços de Ferreira
by Tom Kundert
