Sebastien Loeb is just one short stage away from completing victory on the 2009 Rally Portugal after maintaining his gap to second place Mikko Hirvonen.
Only a quick two mile sprint around the Estadio Algarve awaits the remaining drivers, but Loeb enters the stage with a safe 24 second advantage.
Hirvonen won both of the afternoon's stages, a re-run of Loule and S.Bras Alportel, but could only slice seven seconds off the gap between himself and Loeb.
Dani Sordo remains third, ahead of Petter Solberg, but Matthew Wilson has been forced to retire after sliding off the road and rolling, before burning out the clutch when attempting to restart.
His problems have promoted Stobart Motorsport team-mate Henning Solberg up to fifth position, while Mads Ostberg is up to sixth position
In addition, Conrad Rautenbach has also crashed out of seventh and his car is on fire. Driver and co-driver are both reported to be unharmed.
Federico Villagra and Khalid Al-Qassimi move up to seventh and eighth.
Full report and results to follow after Estadio Algarve SS18
