Lisbon, Portugal – FC Porto prepared for its Champions League showdown with Malaga by securing a 2-0 win at Beira Mar over the weekend to remain on top of the Portuguese Liga on goal difference ahead of Benfica.
Christian Atsu's first-half goal put Porto in front at halftime, and Jackson Martinez continued his scorching form with a goal in the 73rd minute to double Porto's lead and take his tally to a league-leading 20 goals on the season.
Porto will now get ready to host Malaga in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 matchup on Tuesday.
Benfica managed to escape its home contest against Academica with a 1-0 win as Lima converted a penalty kick in stoppage time to help the hosts avoid falling two points back of Porto, while third-place Pacos Ferreira was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Nacional.
On Monday, Rio Ave and Braga finished in a 1-1 draw in a battle of top-five teams.
Ahmed Hassan put Rio Ave in front three minutes into the contest, but a successful penalty kick in first-half stoppage time from Alan leveled the contest for Braga.
Saturday's lone match saw Sporting Lisbon win for the fifth time in 19 games as Diego Capel scored the winning goal in the 63rd minute to beat Gil Vicente, 3-2, despite two goals from Gil Vicente's Vieira.
First-half goals from Leocisio Sami and David Simao helped Maritimo to a 2-1 win over Estoril, Setubal claimed a 1-0 win at Olhanense and Guimaraes beat last-place Moreirense, 1-0, courtesy of Olimpio Leonel's eighth-minute penalty kick.
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