The duel in Porto was interrupted after a fan entered the field and tried to kick the player in ugly scenes

Porto were leading in their Primeira Liga game against Vitoria when an intruder on the pitch aimed a kick at two of the opposing players and the referee stopped play

The Portuguese top game between postage and Vitoria de Guimaraes broke into chaos when a fan entered the field and tried to kick two of Vitoria’s players.

Mehdi Taremi gave the visitors a 1-0 lead with a penalty, but later missed a second penalty. The result became secondary, however, as the Pitch Invasor approached Vitoria captain Rochinha, initially stretching his arms out as he approached the 26-year-old but then seemingly kicking him.

Seconds later he tried to hit a second Vitoria player, Geny, but the winger got out of the way in time. It was far from the first notable turf invasion in a top league this season, with an incident at Everton against Newcastle Attracts attention but may well concern players who have been approached without intervention by stewards or officials.

It’s not the first time this season that a Porto game has been thrown into chaos, although the reasons vary widely. As early as February there was a top duel between Sergio Conceicao’s team and title rivals Sporting CP ended in a brawl involving 40 menwith veteran defender Pepe himself sent off.

On this occasion, the fan calmly enters the field without showing any haste while the referee and assistant look on. After stretching his arms towards Rochinha, he appears to kick the player in the lower leg before approaching Geny.

Eventually the pitch intruder was held back. By this point, Vitoria boss Pepa had left the technical section and was trying to prevent further escalation while other players rushed to the scene of the incident.

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“It’s amazing how easily he managed to get on the pitch,” remarked one viewer. Another said: “The guy literally walks onto the pitch like he’s lost.”

The game eventually resumed after the break with just a few minutes of stoppage time remaining. Porto were 1-0 up at that point, their opponents down a man after Oscar Estupinan was sent off, and that’s how it ended.

After the win, Porto sit six points clear of second-placed Sporting with just five games left. Lisbon put the pressure on with a 3-1 win at Tondela on Saturday, but the deficit remains.

Despite the win, Conceicao refuses to consider the title settled. “I am always vigilant and very suspicious” he told the club’s website.

“It’s at those moments that teams get distracted and problems arise. We have to be suspicious, vigilant and prepare well for the next home game.”

“We’re very focused and very focused on doing our best. We have five finals ahead of us and nothing is decided.

“We are happy with our journey so far, but it is not over yet and the most difficult part is still missing, which is the last part. The true champions are the ones who keep working hard and focus heavily on the best moments.”