Porto handles Beira Mar
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.