FC Porto beat Marítimo, 3-0 and took the lead of the League, on condition. The national champions showed patience and determination, and were able to break the opposing resistance in the second-half. Alex Telles (57m), Éder Militão (72m) and Yacine Brahimi (88m) scored the goals against a team that didn’t have one shot at the goal defended by Iker Casillas. It was the perfect outcome before the stoppage time for national duty.

The match at Estádio do Dragão started with two plays that required the VAR. First, João Capela signalled a penalty for FC Porto, for alleged hand on the ball from Nanu, but the decision was reversed after watching the footage. And then, six minutes in, the VAR was used again and determined that Lucas Áfrico had to be sent-off, as he tackled Moussa Marega when the Malian forward was going for goal.

Down one man, the team from Madeira closed in the back and lost contact with Casillas, a mere spectator of the match. The home team had difficulties creating clear goal situations in the first-half, as they kept crashing into the long wall built by the opponent.  

Marega hit the side net in one of the best occasions (24m), receiving the pass from Otávio, and then headed for a save from Charles, 45 minutes in, after the cross from Jesús Corona. In stoppage time, Herrera hit the top bar, and Danilo scored, but the goal was disallowed for off-side.

Sérgio Conceição wanted more and added speed to the right wing, replacing Pepe for Manafá. 53 minutes in, the fullback crossed to the area, looking for Soares. The forward shot and the ball hit Gamboa’s arm. A fair penalty was given and Alex Telles scored from it. It was the third goal for the left fullback in the last 4 matches at home.

FC Porto increased speed in the second-half and was able to increase the advantage. After the failed attempts of Herrera and Alex Telles, the fullback then moved to the assistances and helped Éder Militão celebrate a goal from a corner-kick. The Brazilian international headed it in, with Marega moving to get to it, but failing to touch the ball.

As Marítimo did nothing to reply to this, the Dragons aimed for the third goal. Danilo scored again, but he was off-side and Soares hit the post right after that. Brahimi, coming from the bench, closed the scoreboard, with a good job inside the area, 88 minutes in.