Five things we learned this week in Primeira Liga
October 1st, 2025by Dean Murray
Nothing to separate between Sporting CP and PortoThere was a grand sense of occasion at the Estadio Jose Avalade Friday evening and the assembled crowd was treated to a thrilling spirited contest between two of Portugal's biggest teams.
The home crowd were in dreamland just two minutes into the game as Sporting took the lead. Nani intercepted Casemiro's poor pass on the half line and dribbled confidently towards the goal until he was met by a wall of blue shirts. The 27-year-old bypassed the Porto defence by playing a clever chip to the right of the box for Andre Carrillo to run onto. The Peruvian sent in a first time cross for the unlikely Jonathan Silva to head into the net.
Sporting ran riot in the first half and Porto had no answer. Indeed, the 'Leoes' were unlucky not to be at least 2–0 up going into half time.
Julen Lopetegui recognised how little of a threat the 'Dragoes' were in the first half and showed bravery in making two substitutions at half time. Christian Tello replaced Ricardo Quaresma but it was the introduction of Oliver Torres, who came on for Ruben Neves, which changed the game. The on-loan Atletico Madrid starlet provided the creative spark in attack that was previouly lacking.
Sporting coach Marco Silva appeared content with his side's one goal lead and indeed, Sporting sat back inviting Porto's attack. However, this backfired on 56 minutes. Oliver Torres spotted right back Danilo's overlapping run on the right. The Brazilian low cross across goal was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Mahamadou – Naby Sarr.
Both sides had chances to win out the game but ultimately the draw goes down as the fairest result on the night.
Sporting CP go to Penafiel on Saturday while Porto host Sergio Conceicao's Braga on Sunday. Both sides will hope they don't suffer a hangover from their mid-week Champions League games and allow Benfica the chance to pull away.
William Carvalho to earn ten times more in new contract
During the summer, it was widely expected that William Carvalho was going to secure a big money move to one of Europe's super heavyweights. Manchester United and Arsenal were said to be wooing the 22-year-old but nothing materialised. Instead, Carvalho remains a Sporting CP player much to the delight of the fans.
Leading Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola reported on Monday that Carvalho is now set to sign a new contract that will see the defensive midfielder earn ten times what he currently owns. This may sound excessive but Carvalho current wages are reportedly to be around €8000 a week, a relatively low sum for a player of his standard.
A Bola also noted that the wages will be the only thing to change on his current contract. The contract will still last until
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