Porto's unbeaten run ends with loss at Academica

LISBON, Portugal (AP) FC Porto's run of 53 Portuguese league games without a loss came to an end on Saturday when it fell 1-0 at Academica from Fernando Alexandre's goal on the brink of halftime.

Porto, the league's three-time defending champion, hadn't lost since it fell 3-1 to Gil Vicente in January 2012.

Alexandre netted the winner from a sequence started by Ivanildo Soares's corner kick in the 44th minute.

Porto had a great chance to snatch the draw in the 87th, but Academica goalkeeper Ricardo Novo saved Danilo's penalty kick.

"The victory is important for the three points, nothing more," Alexandre said. "We wanted the three points, it didn't matter who they came against."

The upset left Porto at the top of the league standings, but only one point ahead of Sporting Lisbon and Benfica. Sporting hosts Pacos Ferreira on Sunday while Benfica visits Rio Ave.

Pressure will only increase on Porto's first-year coach, Paulo Fonesca, as his side has managed one win from its last six matches in all competitions.

"We didn't play better than Academica," Fonesca said. "They were more aggressive. We were incapable of breaking through their defense. That's why we lost.

"Clearly, FC Porto is used to winning and we can't be satisfied with the result or our performance."

Academica moved into eighth place with the win.