LISBON, Portugal – Defending Portuguese champion FC Porto’s marathon unbeaten streak ended with a 3-1 loss to Gil Vicente on Sunday as the club fell one match shy of matching Benfica’s 34-year-old record of 56 consecutive league games without a defeat.
Porto’s loss left Benfica, which beat Feirense 2-1 on Saturday, five points clear at the top of the league standings.
Claudio headed in Richard’s free kick in front of the passive Porto defence to put the hosts ahead in the 15th.
The centre back then made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 45th after Porto’s Nicolas Otamendi handled the ball in the area.
Forward Andre Cunha capped Gil Vicente’s surprise victory from a counterattack in the 52nd before Silvestre Varela scored Porto’s consolation goal in the 77th.
“We had a listless first half,” said Porto manager Vitor Pereira. “We didn’t show the desire of a team that wants to win the title.”
Gil Vicente’s first win in six league games lifted it into the middle of the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.
Also on Sunday, it was: Leiria 2, Pacos Ferreira 4; Setubal 2, Olhanense 3; and Sporting Lisbon 2, Beira Mar 0.
Third-place Braga plays fifth-place Maritimo on Monday.
