A dominant display earns three points for Os Leões

Sporting Clube de Portugal warmed up for a big week ahead with a 3-0 win over Boavista FC 3-0 on Liga Portugal Matchday 24.

Rúben Amorim made five changes from the midweek match against Arsenal in the Europa League, including handing a league debut for goalkeeper Franco Israel. Sporting CP started with the Uruguayan goalkeeper, Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, Manuel Ugarte, Hidemasa Morita, Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards, Youssef Chermiti and Pedro Gonçalves.

The hosts enjoyed the first chance in the opening minute, when Morita crossed from the left and Chermiti headed with his back to goal, the ball hitting the post and falling in front of goal. Gonçalves was waiting to finish, but Onyemaechi got there first to clear. Edwards followed up with an effort soon after, but his shot went wide of goal.

Enjoying more of the ball, controlling the pace and pressing high, Sporting CP were not letting Boavista FC play and created a series of opportunities, only kept out by the defence and goalkeeper Bracali.

On 13 minutes, Chermiti had a low shot go wide, building up to an incredible opening goal under five minutes later: A one-two between Edwards and Chermiti down the right hand side saw the former cut back for the striker, who could not get a shot off, but Nuno Santos came in from the second line to finish off with a fantastic rabona strike to make it 1-0.

It was only after half an hour of play that Franco Israel had to intervene for the first time, from a Yusupha header which he saved comfortably.

Just before the end of the first half, Morita put through Nuno Santos who, after getting into the area, set up Gonçalves. Defender Salvador Agra came in to cut out the pass and ended up deflecting into his own net.

Leading 2-0 at the start of the second period, Sporting CP again started well and looked to increase their advantage immediately, as Nuno Santos, off a corner by Edwards, swiped twice at the ball and put it wide.

Boavista FC responded with a set piece of their own, with a free kick from the left that Onyemaechi went for, but Franco Israel immediately grabbed the ball.

Ricardo Esgaio had a chance to score a terrific goal when he received the ball from the right and progressed towards the area, only for his strike to bounce back off the woodwork.

Then it was Edwards, through the middle, who shot, with Bracali clutching his effort.

Amorim made the first changes by taking off Matheus Reis and Pedro Gonçalves and bringing in Gonçalo Inácio and Francisco Trincão.

In the 66th minute, off another quick move by Sporting CP, Nuno Santos got a pass from Edwards, but his connection went well over the bar. Soon after, another shot from the winger, set up by Trincão, was also hit high.

In the 72nd minute, another double substitution withdrew Chermiti and Edwards for Paulinho and Arthur Gomes.

Despite creating less danger, Sporting CP remained the better side and were looking for their third goal. In the 83rd minute, Gomes nearly got it, but struck wide.

Consecutive chances for Trincão and Morita also went outside the post, and it would not be until stoppage time that Sporting CP made it 3-0. Paulinho finished off in the 93rd minute, after a cross from Ricardo Esgaio.

The goal rounded off a comprehensive performance, earning three points for Sporting CP in Liga Portugal. They now return their focus to the Europa League and a trip to London, where Arsenal await with a 2-2 result from the first leg.