Late Melgarejo header robs Porto of three points
Pacos de Ferreira 1-1 Porto; Sunday round-up
 An own goal from Ricardo was cancelled out by a late header from Lorenzo Melgarejo as Pacos de Ferreira were able to fight back and earn a 1-1 draw against Porto at the Mata Real on Sunday evening.
Elsewhere in the Liga on Sunday, there were wins for Guimaraes, Nacional and Setubal.
Pacos de Ferreira 1-1 FC Porto
Pacos began the game on the backburner but Michel caused the most danger early on. In a run similar to that which Hulk has made Porto fans accustomed to witnessing, the Pacos forward brilliantly dribbled and skipped by four defenders on his way towards goal before being stopped by Steven Defour.
Vitor Pereira’s men had troubles replying and threatened the home side’s goal for the first time in the 18th minute. With a defence splitting pass from James Rodriguez, Lucho Gonzalez found himself isolated on the right. The Argentine decided to attempt to chip the ball over Cassio but was denied by a fingertip save from the keeper.
On their next attack, Os Dragoes threatened again when Joao Moutinho picked out Hulk on the right. The Brazilian found an unmarked Janko, who with an open net, struck a poor effort against Cassio’s post.
Neither side was particularly fluid in the last third of the pitch and because of this, goalmouth opportunities were lacking. Porto, in particular, could not create a connection between their midfield and attack and Janko was left isolated as a result.
Hulk steps up
Before the second -half began, Pereira hooked Defour for Fernando and fans were witness to an improved Porto. With Lucho and Moutinho positioned higher up on the pitch, the change immediately paid dividends. After Hulk was picked out on the right, the Brazil international blew by Melgarejo and his resulting cross deflected off of Ricardo and into the back of Cassio's net to open scoring.
The Porto captain nearly doubled his side's advantage in the 68th minute. On a quick counterattack, Moutinho found the potent Brazilian completely unmarked on the right. Cutting into the middle, Hulk unleashed a powerful strike that Cassio expertly turned away.
Melgarejo denies Porto
Despite a poor performance, where Helton was not threatened once for nearly 80 minutes, Henrique Calisto's men would not be silenced. A corner kick from the left connected with Melgarejo, who leaped over a much taller Rolando, and majestically headed past Helton to equalise the scoreline.
For the remaining ten minutes, the visitors created no chances to earn the advantage and were simply waiting and hoping that Hulk would provide them with an individual play. With a blown-out Lucho in the midfield and an ineffective Hulk, Porto could not create any goalmouth action and were left to watch another victory slip from their grasp.
With the draw, Porto miss out on the opportunity to increase their lead over Benfica in the league table to three points. A win on Monday for Braga will see the Arsenalistas leapfrog over both sides and into first. Pacos have improved their position in mid-table and are now placed 10th.
FC Porto: Helton, Sapunaru (Varela, 87), Rolando, Otamendi, Alvaro Pereira, Defour (Fernando, 46), Joao Moutinho, Lucho Gonzalez, Hulk, James Rodriguez, Janko (Kleber, 61)
Goals:
[0-1] Ricardo (o.g.), 47
[1-1] Melgarejo, 79
Victor Ferreira
Rio Ave 0-1 Guimaraes
 Guimaraes increased their lead over 7th-placed Olhanense with a hard-fought 1-0 win at fellow northerners Rio Ave, with Edgar’s late strike proving decisive.
The first half was short on chances as both teams cancelled each other out. Guimaraes looked the more penetrative, and Toscano might have done better with a low cross from Alex moments before the interval.
The second 45 minutes yielded more of the same, but the deadlock was finally broken thirteen minutes from time, thanks to a wretchedly underhit back pass from Jean Sony. The right back’s error was capitalised upon by the alert Edgar, who slotted home his eleventh of the season. Joao Tomas struck the crossbar late on, but Rio Ave slid to a second consecutive defeat after lifting themselves clear of the drop zone.
Beira-Mar 0-3 Nacional
 Another home defeat for Beira-Mar, who are looking increasingly solid candidates for relegation – the only thing keeping them out of the bottom two is the equally awful form of Feirense and Leiria. This latest loss came at the hands of in-form Nacional, thanks to a pair of Claudemir penalties and a late strike from Keita. The victory leaves Nacional nestled in mid-table, whilst Beira-Mar remain 14th.
Setubal 1-0 Leiria
 Setubal continued their mini-revival under Jose Mota with a narrow home win over Leiria, thanks to Miguelito’s second-minute goal. Having looked near-doomed earlier in the year, Os Sadinos are now six points clear of the drop zone, whilst Leiria remain very much under threat.
Ben Shave
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As for Benfica, I know there's the CL to contend with, but they have to win that match. Aimar was foolish, and it cost us.
Both of these teams have to be able to grind out these type of matches, this late on in the campaign.
Braga has a wonderful opportunity, which they must grab with both hands. They have been able to grind out games, so the tough schedule just might be what they need. They just might have the mental fortitude to be Abe to pull this off.
I really can't believe the year they are having.
As for the result, it was a bonus to fans of Benfica and Braga, and clear indication that all 3 title contenders will likely drop more points in the remainder of the season. It really is too close to call at this moment. Benfica appear to have the easier run-in of the 3, but have the distraction of the CL. Braga still have to face Benfica, Porto and Sporting on the last day, very tough. Porto are still top of the table at the time of writing, but face tricky fixtures away to Maritimo and Braga and then at home to Sporting. So it's anyone's guess at the moment...