Liga Sagres wrap: Porto, Benfica post wins

FC Porto and Benfica registered victories on Sunday to extend their lead at the top of the Liga Sagres as Braga lost at Sporting Lisbon.

All the goals came in the second half as FC Porto downed Academica de Coimbra 2-1, while one strike was enough for Benfica to win 1-0 at Rio Ave.

Academica de Coimbra frustrated FC Porto in the opening 45 minutes of the contest at the Estadio do Dragao, but the floodgates opened just five minutes into the second half.

Lucho Gonzalez played a delightful through ball to James Rodriguez and the Colombian swept home the opener with style.

Twelve minutes later Porto doubled their advantage and this time it came through Joao Moutinho.

The diminutive Portuguese midfielder tried his luck from distance and the ball flew past Academica de Coimbra keeper Ricardo and into the back of the net.

Wilson Eduardo got a goal back for Academica de Coimbra with 12 minutes remaining, but Porto held their nerve to claim the three points.

Meanwhile Benfica had to work harder for their victory, with Lima scoring the only goal of the match just before the half-time break.

The Albanian lashed home the winner from six yards in first half stoppage time as Benfica picked up the important victory and kept pace with Porto.

Braga lost ground on the leading duo when they were beaten 1-0 by Sporting Lisbon.

Prolific striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel scored the only goal of the contest in the fourth minute as Sporting Lisbon jumped to ninth and ensured Braga lost ground on the leaders.

Braga sit in third place on the Liga Sagres table, but have now slipped six points behind FC Porto and Benfica, who are separated by goal difference at the head of proceedings.

In other matches on Sunday, Estoril won 2-0 at home against Moreirense and Olhanense were 1-0 victors against Beira Mar in a match that saw both teams finish with 10 men.