This Sunday, FC Porto beat Vitória de Guimarães (2-1), at Estádio do Afonso Henriques, reducing the difference to the lead of Liga NOS to one point. An own goal by Douglas (10m) and Marega (60m) helped the Dragons win the match, who now have 53 points, one point behind the leader, Benfica.

The team led by Sérgio Conceição had an overwhelming start of the match and only needed 10 minutes to open the scoreboard at D. Afonso Henriques: Luis Díaz found Zé Luís, the Cape Verdean forward crossed back and Sérgio Oliveira came from behind for a strong shot with his left foot. The ball hit the top bar, deflected on Douglas, and slowly rolled into the goal. The goal was correctly given to the goalkeeper, but the play that led to it is noteworthy.

On the other end of the pitch, Marcano was decisive as he denied the goal to Marcus Edwards on the touchline, when Guimarães was ready to start celebrating the tie (18m). On the following play, Pêpê forced Marchesín to a good save (19m). At this point in the match, the pace was extremely high and so was intensity. Close to the break, Marega wasn’t as effective as needed after a good counter-attack by Otávio: in good position, the Malian shot outside the post and wasted an excellent opportunity to increase the lead (40m).

The break was better for Vitória de Guimarães, who tied the match just four minutes after the start of the second-half: Ola John crossed from the left and Bruno Duarte came up without marking and headed the ball into 1-1 (49m). The blue and white response didn’t take long and was scored by Marega, with class, it should be said. Receiving a pass from Mbemba, the number 11 of the Dragons controlled the ball and lobbed Douglas, giving the lead of the match back to FC Porto, with plenty of time left to play in Guimarães (60m).

Marega was then under the spotlight as he requested to be substituted, after hearing several racists insults from fans of Vitória de Guimarães. Sérgio Conceição and his teammates tried to convince the Malian forward to continue, but Marega was determined and left the match, caused by a sad situation that should embarrass the club from Guimarães and Portuguese football. The shameful event united FC Porto even more, and Tecatito Corona wasted a clear opportunity to make 3-1 (82m).

In stoppage time, Davidson again aimed for the tie, in a, aerial shot, but the ball went over the goal defended by Marchesín (90m+6). FC Porto held on to the victory with both hands and left Guimarães one point behind the leader of the championship. The fight for the title is very intense.