Sensational comebacks, Porto passing the test, young talent shining: Primeira Liga Update (March 2026)

Harry Spinks is here to update us on the Primeira Liga

European Dream

The stories just continue to be written for the Portuguese teams in European competitions this year.

Following Benfica’s goalkeeper scoring a last-gasp goal against Real Madrid to send them through a few weeks ago, I didn’t think we could have much more excitement in the Champions League or Europa League. Sporting and Braga had other ideas, overturning respective 3-0 and 2-0 first leg defeats, as both clubs progressed to the quarter final stage.

Following a poor display in Norway, The Lions found themselves 3-0 down to a Bodo/Glimt side who had beaten last year’s finalists Inter Milan in the previous round. Portugal’s current champions put on an excellent display in the second leg, creating an xG of 3.77, and 9 big chances, to win 5-0 (5-3 on agg.) and move onto a mouthwatering quarter final with Arsenal. The icing on the cake was Rafael Nel (20, ST) scoring on only his third first-team appearance for the club.

The next day, Braga decided they liked what they’d seen from Sporting, and went about dismantling Ferencvaros in a similar way (4-0, 4-2 on agg.). Rodrigo Zalazar (26, RW) put on an excellent attacking display, causing constant problems down the wing. Our player report this month also comes from this fixture, with a closer look at left wing-back Gabri Martinez (23) below.