PIX: Corona strikes again as Porto rise to top

Mexican midfielder Jesus Corona scored for the second match in a row as 10-man Porto returned to winning ways and moved to the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga with a 1-0 home win over Maritimo on Wednesday.

Porto now have 63 points from 26 matches, two clear of second-placed Benfica with eight rounds remaining in this season's championship in a two-horse race for the title.

Corona, not normally a prolific scorer, was also on target in the 2-1 loss to Famalicao a week ago, Porto’s first match since the resumption of the 2019-20 season which had been on hold for almost three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There was a hint of good fortunate about his early winner after six minutes against Maritimo as he hopefully swung a boot at a loose ball in the penalty box and it looped into the far corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

The home side finished the game with 10 men when Brazilian left back Alex Telles received a second yellow card with four minutes remaining.

Tavares stuns wasteful Benfica

Junior Tavares scored a stunning equaliser 13 minutes from fulltime as hosts Portimonense came from two goals down to draw 2-2 and compound the recent woes of title-chasing Benfica in their Portuguese top-flight clash on Wednesday.

League leaders Benfica looked to be cruising as prolific Portugal international Pizzi netted his 27th goal of the season in all competitions and defender Andre Almeida added a second on the half-hour mark.

Yet the relegation-threatened home side were given hope when captain Dener headed in from Tabata's free kick, before Brazilian defender Tavares curled a superb 25-metre shot into the top corner to seal a point.

Benfica have now won one of their last 10 games in all competitions, and drawn their last five, having also had two players injured as their bus was stoned by angry fans following a 0-0 draw at Tondela in their first game back following the pause in the season for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lisbon-based club moved to 61 points from 26 matches, one more than title rivals Porto, who face Maritimo later on Wednesday. Portimonense are second-bottom on 20 points.