FC Porto didn’t waste any time proving their strength on Friday night. The Dragons swept past Avanca, an Estarreja side, with a commanding 46-30 victory. This match opened the seventh round of the championship, setting a clear tone.
With this win, the blue and whites temporarily moved to the top of the league standings. However, their lead might not last long. Two-time champions Sporting play FC Gaia on Saturday and could reclaim the top spot if they secure a win. The title race promises to be an exciting one.
Avanca showed some spirit early in the game. Their goalkeeper, Gonçalo Morgado, son of Sérgio Morgado, played a commendable part in keeping them in it. But Porto’s rapid counter-attacks proved too much. They broke down Avanca’s defenses fairly quickly.
The score sat at a tight 5-4 for Porto before they hit the gas. They then opened up a 10-4 lead, and Avanca never truly recovered their footing. The game effectively slipped away from the visitors after that burst of pace.
Swedish star Linus Persson was a standout performer for Porto, bagging ‘x’ goals and dominating the play. Goalkeeper Abrahamsson also delivered a strong showing. Notably, left-winger Leonel Fernandes was not part of the squad for this fixture.
FC Porto won’t have much time to rest. They face a trip to Iceland on Tuesday. There, they will take on Fram Reykjavik. This match marks the first round of Group D in the European League, adding another layer to their busy schedule.