Porto continued its perfect start to the Liga Portuguesa campaign with a confident 2-0 victory over Nacional da Madeira in Funchal. The result pushes André Villas-Boas side, with five victories in as many matches four points above second-place Vitória de Guimarães.

The Dragões tactician made no changes to his starting eleven that defeated Braga and from the opening whistle controlled the run of play. After early efforts from Silvestre Varela and João Moutinho were stopped by host goalkeeper Rafael Bracali, Porto took the lead at the twenty-first minute. Coming via Fernando Belluschi’s free kick from the left, the ball nicked off João Aurélio and into the top, far corner of the net. Porto later missed a golden opportunity to advance the lead before the break when Radamel Falcao rasped the ball off the post, from the spot after Žarko Tomašević was adjudged a penalty for bringing down Silvestre Varela.

Four minutes shy of the hour, the Dragões took two-goal advantage as Hulk dispossessed left-back Danijel Stojanović of the ball and showing pace through the right flank, he sent the ball back to Silvestre Varela for the professional finish. Porto continued to press to extend the lead but Cristian Săpunaru and Fernando Belluschi were stopped by Rafael Bracali and with the final whistle, were satisfied with the 2-0 victory.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved

Benfica continued its assault on the championship with a narrow 1-0 victory over Nacional da Madeira at Estadio Eng. Rui Alves. With the result Benfica hold down the top spot in the Liga Portuguesa table, whilst Nacional da Madeira sits at ninth.

In an extremely wide open affair, both sides had ample opportunities to break the deadlock but were consistently thwarted by superb goalkeeping. After a scoreless opening half, Benfica were gifted a chance to go ahead after the break when David Luiz went to the ground and a penalty awarded, though somewhat questionably. However, Óscar Cardozo’s effort went well off-course and the Madeira side had a second-chance. The Águias finally took the 1-0 lead four minutes past the quarter-hour as, from a few metres out, Óscar Cardozo turned in Javi García’s cross from the right by-line. The Paraguayan striker was denied again the Madeira ‘keeper Rafael Bracali and after the hosts rasped a header off the crossbar, Benfica laid claim to the three points with a 1-0 victory.

Benfica returns to play on Thursday in Europa League play as visit Olympique de Marseille at Stade Vélodrome, before returning to league play on Sunday against Braga at the Estádio da Luz.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved