FC Porto began the defence of their Portuguese football title with a 2-0 win over Alverca at home on Sunday, in the opening round of the Primeira Liga.
The Dragões sealed the victory with two penalties, converted by André Silva in the 9th minute and Gabri Veiga in the 44th.
With five of the round's matches played, Porto joined Marítimo and Arouca at the top of the table on three points, two more than defending runners-up Sporting, who drew 2-2 away to Estrela da Amadora on Saturday. Estrela da Amadora are Alverca's next opponents. Porto travel to Rio Ave in the next round.
Penalties decide the contest
Porto won their first penalty in the 5th minute when André Silva was fouled inside the area. Alverca goalkeeper Matheus Mendes was booked in the 8th minute, then guessed the correct side of André Silva's low spot kick a minute later, but the shot was placed too well, finding the right post as Porto took the lead.
Porto were awarded a second penalty in the 40th minute, again for a foul on André Silva in the box. Alverca's Nabil Touaizi was booked in the 43rd minute. Gabri Veiga stepped up in the 44th and beat Mendes in almost identical fashion, rolling the ball low into the corner after the goalkeeper again went the right way.
Alverca created danger of their own before the break. Vivaldo Semedo forced a save down the middle with a low shot in the 38th minute, and Ian Luccas twice went close in first-half stoppage time from set pieces set up by Chiquinho, one effort saved and one off target.
Substitutions shape the second half
Porto made changes just after the hour, sending on Pablo Rosario for Alan Varela and Borja Sainz for William Gomes in the 58th minute. Alverca responded a minute later, bringing on Samy Merheg for Vivaldo Semedo and Francisco Chissumba for Yaya Bojang, who had been booked in the 52nd minute.
Further changes followed in the 75th minute, with Porto replacing Martim Fernandes with Nehuén Pérez and Gabri Veiga with Rodrigo Mora, while Alverca brought on Zakaria Kessary for Ian Luccas. Alverca made one more substitution in the 79th minute, sending on Marco Essimi for Figueiredo.
André Silva went off injured in the 81st minute, with play stopped to treat him, and was replaced by Deniz Gül a minute later.
Late chances and stoppages
The match was halted again in the 86th minute after Alverca's Bastien Meupiyou picked up an injury. Chiquinho was booked in the 89th minute.
Porto almost added a third goal in the 90th minute when Jan Bednarek headed narrowly off target from the centre of the box, meeting a Rodrigo Mora cross that followed a free kick.
Alverca had a late chance of their own in stoppage time, but Chiquinho's right-footed shot from outside the area, set up by Marco Essimi, failed to trouble Porto's goal as the match ended 2-0.
