Liga NOS didn’t actually start well for FC Porto. The Dragons were losing at home with one of the biggest foes from last season, but had the strength and determination that champions are made of. Facing a Sporting de Braga that played with the same tactic that beat the Dragons three times in season 2019/20, the blue and white started this new season behind. However, when it seemed like the blue and whites would reach the break behind on the scoreboard, the team was able to turn the score around in minutes, regaining control of the match in the second-half.

The action started in the first minute. The attacking trident for FC Porto, composed of Otávio, Corona and Marega, went in with eyes set on the North goal, and, in the first ten minutes, gave a lot of work to Matheus. After VAR Tiago Martins disallowed the first goal for the Dragons, as Tecatito was offside at the start of the play, Braga replied with a goal that made the team led by Sérgio Conceição more aware of the opponent’s value. After the ball went to the midfield spot, Braga scored again. But this second goal would be disallowed for offside. Stoppage time was all the national champions needed to score at Estádio do Dragão. After a perfect cross from Alex Telles on the left, Sérgio Oliveira jumped above the three central defenders and tied the match in a superb header. On the last second of the first-half, Marega was tackled by Raul Silva in the area. João Pinheiro immediately signalled the penalty and the blue and white expert, Alex Telles, didn’t flinch under the spotlight. The halftime whistle came right after that and the blue and whites were in the lead, 2-1.

Opening the second-half, Ricardo Horta had a great opportunity to set the tie again, but shot over the goal, when he was face to face with Marchesín. Five minutes later, Pepe was close to the goal, and his frustration could be heard from distance. In a corner-kick taken on the right of the blue and white attack, the experienced central defender jumped above everyone else and the header barely hit the post. At the start of the last quarter hour of the match, a free-kick from the opponent made the best of a mistake from the home defence. Ricardo Horta got the ball free for marking just outside the area and the shot was enough to scare the holder of the two biggest trophies in Portuguese football. In the last twenty minutes, Sérgio Conceição sent in Zaidu, Loum and Taremi. On the second time he touched the ball, the Iranian was tackled in the area. Called to take the penalty, Alex Telles fooled Matheus and made it 3-1, securing the first three points in the blue and white season and becoming the defender with the most goals (26) in almost 127 years of FC Porto’s history. Next, there is a demanding trip to Bessa, to face Boavista, at 21h00, on Saturday, September 26.