Porto win leaves it on verge of 4th straight title

LISBON, Portugal (AP) -- FC Porto's 3-0 win over Maritimo on Sunday put it on the verge of a fourth straight Portuguese championship.

Raul Meireles opened the scoring after just two minutes before Rolando Pires and Tomas Costa added second half goals as Porto opened up a six-point lead over Sporting with only three games to play.

Porto, which won its seventh straight to stay unbeaten in 20 games, has 63 points. Sporting, which drew 0-0 against Academica on Saturday, has 57.

Porto can clinch the title at home against fourth-placed Nacional next weekend while Sporting hosts bottom-table Setubal.

Benfica is third with 52 points after Saturday's 3-1 loss to Nacional, which has 49 points.

Nuno Assis' 50th-minute goal gave Guimaraes a 1-0 win against Naval while Nuno Andres scored with two minutes remaining as Amadora beat Leixoes 2-1.

Auri's 44th-minute penalty capped a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Pacos Ferreira to improve the club's chances of staying up. Leandro Carrijo scored two minutes after Ricardo had given Pacos Ferreira a fifth-minute lead.

Last-place Trofense welcomes second-last Belenenses on Monday.

On Friday, Rio Ave and Braga drew 0-0.

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