Liga Sagres wrap: Pacos keep pressure on Braga

Manuel Jose has scored twice as Pacos de Ferreira defeated Olhanense 2-1 to stay in touch with third-placed Sporting Braga in Liga Sagres.

With Braga having won on Friday, Pacos needed victory to keep their hopes of qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League alive.

Jose gave the visitors the lead in the fifth minute with a strike from the edge of the area but Olhahense were level in the 39th minute after an own goal from Pacos defender Nuno Santos.

After Targino earned a free-kick for Olhahense, Babanco curled a cross into the area and Santos provided the decisive touch, the ball skimming off his head past Pacos goalkeeper Cassio.

But Pacos regained their lead in the final minute of the first half when captain Jose slotted a fine goal after a fine flowing move through midfield and the visitors held on to move up to 42 points, one behind third-placed Braga.

In Saturday’s other Liga Sagres fixture, Sporting Lisbon defeated Vitoria Setubal 2-1 with all goals coming in the first half.

Vitoria Setubal defender Amoreirinha gave Sporting a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute when he poked the ball into his own net under pressure from Ricky van Wolfswinkel and the home side doubled their advantage four minutes later.

Sporting’s Marcos Rojo was held in the box, the referee pointed to the spot and Zakaria Labyad made no mistake with the penalty, smashing it into the net.

A powerful header from Makukula gave Setubal some hope in the 33rd minute but the visitors were unable to draw level.