Porto again the pride of Portugal

Porto champions
The reigning champions needed a victory to be certain of their 22nd Liga success and they ultimately managed it in style, with two strikes by Lisandro López being complemented by Adriano’s opener and an own goal by Jorge Ribeiro. Lisbon sides Sporting Clube de Portugal and SL Benfica were waiting in the wings for Porto to slip up but Jesualdo Ferreira’s side finished the season on top with 69 points, one more than Sporting, who beat CF Os Belenenses 4-0 in their last match thanks to goals by Liedson, Alecsandro, Yannick Djaló and Bruno Pereirinha.

Benfica third
Benfica had to settle for third place on 67 points despite a 2-0 win over A. Académica de Coimbra but goals in either half by Derlei and Mantorras at least left them looking forward to taking part in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, though they were already assured of their spot in the preliminaries of Europe’s premier club competition. Porto and Sporting will automatically qualify for the group stage.

UEFA Cup spot
A 1-1 draw for FC Paços de Ferreira at SC Beira-Mar was enough to earn them a spot in the UEFA Cup next season, although their hosts were relegated along with along with Aves. Vitória FC, who started the day at the foot of the table, performed a rescue act with a 2-1 victory at A. Naval 1° Maio to lift themelves out of the bottom two to safety. SC Braga secured fourth place and a UEFA Cup berth with a 1-1 draw at home to CD Nacional, the same scoreline as the match between CF Estrela da Amadora and UD Leiria.