FC Porto concluded the 2025/26 season of the Portuguese League with the second-highest points total in its history. Back at home to play the 34th and final matchday of the competition, the National Champions defeated Santa Clara 1-0 and finished the season with 88 points, matching the record set in 2017/18.

Francesco Farioli made five changes to the starting lineup, and it was in next season’s kit, a tribute to the glorious 1980s, that Diogo Costa, Alberto Costa, Jan Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior, Francisco Moura, Alan Varela, Victor Froholdt, Rodrigo Mora, William Gomes, Borja Sainz, and Deniz Gül took the field.

In the first dangerous moment, following an incomplete clearance by the opposing defence, Borja Sainz set up Rodrigo Mora, and João Afonso made a great save to prevent the blue and white goal. Two minutes later, in the 19th minute, Gustavo Klismahn shot over the crossbar of Diogo Costa, who saw the Azorean goalkeeper shine again on two occasions, in the 29th minute, when he stopped a low free kick by Jakub Kiwior, and in the 31st, when he blocked a long-range shot by Alan Varela.

After halftime and the victory laps by the European Roller Hockey Champions, the National Volleyball Champions, and the winners of the Portuguese Three-Table Billiards Cup, the fullbacks on both sides came close to scoring, and Gabri Veiga came on alongside Oskar Pietuszewski to replace Borja Sainz and Deniz Gül.

Rodrigo Mora took over the central attacking position and came close to scoring as the striker, with a header that went just over the bar following a cross from William Gomes. The moment that brought the 50,002 spectators filling the stands at Estádio do Dragão to their feet came shortly after: William regained possession near the corner flag, Froholdt crossed, and an opposing defender put the ball into his own net.

João Costa made his debut for FC Porto’s first team (and as captain, no less) in the 71st minute, becoming a National Champion with the club’s A, B, U-19, U-17, and U-15 teams. As the match entered its final stretch, Francesco Farioli used up his substitutions, bringing on 18-year-old Bernardo Lima for his debut and marking Nehuén Pérez’s return to competition, eight months after a serious injury.

Having just stepped onto the pitch at Estádio do Dragão for the first time, the U-17 World Champion still had time to set up the Argentinian international defender, who came close to doubling the blue and white lead with a volley. Referee João Gonçalves’ final whistle paved the way for the champions’ coronation.