Porto secured a 1-0 victory over Alverca, clinching their first league title since 2022. Gabri Veiga, Borja Sainz, and Samu Aghehowa played key roles in the triumph.
In the last two decades, only between 2014 and 2018 had Porto gone longer without winning the Portuguese league title. The drought ended with this season’s success. Francesco Farioli was brought in to restore the club to glory, and he delivered, with the win over Alverca sealing the championship.
Benfica’s unexpected draw with Famalicao meant Porto only needed a point against Alverca to lift the trophy. Gabri Veiga started the match, Borja Sainz waited on the bench, and Samu Aghehowa was among the roaring crowd at the packed Do Dragao stadium.
Porto attacked relentlessly from the start. Kiwior had a goal disallowed for handball after a Froholdt shot hit the crossbar. Just before halftime, Gabri Veiga delivered a corner to the penalty spot, where Bednarek powered a header into the net to put Porto ahead.
Francesco Farioli made a double change at the break, bringing on Alan Varela and Martim Fernandes. Borja Sainz entered later and nearly scored a second with a delicate header at the far post. Alverca threatened late on, and Alberto Costa cleared a shot off the line in stoppage time to preserve the lead. The final whistle sparked wild celebrations at Do Dragao.
The road to this title was not easy. After failed experiments under Vitor Bruno and Martin Anselmi during André Villas-Boas’ first season as president, Francesco Farioli restored joy to Porto, leading the Primeira Liga from start to finish and securing the club’s 31st league championship.