The coach reviews the 1-1 draw with FC Porto

After the 1-1 draw for Sporting CP away at FC Porto, coach Rui Borges reviewed the game in his post-match press conference -beginning by highlighting the two different halves experienced at the Estádio do Dragão.

“In the first half we were better at all times. FC Porto only had two chances, due to our losing the ball. We controlled the game with and without the ball and deservedly led the way. Then, in the second half we didn't start very well, we lost confidence and in terms of energy we also dropped off,”, he reflected.

"Knowing that we were going to be playing with a lower block, we tried to adjust to shorten the width and avoid crosses. FC Porto had some approaches, but we were competent and the best opportunities in the second half were for us, through Quenda and Harder. We could have made it 0-2, we didn't and we ended up being in that low block until the end. We lost our discipline in the last five minutes and were punished with the equaliser. Despite everything, we deserved to have left here with the three points.”

Borges explained the changes he attempted in a second half that demanded more from the team in defensive terms.

“It's natural that FC Porto, losing 0-1, would be more intense and aggressive. We tried to adjust to be more capable in defensive terms, because it was putting more strain on the line of four. As the team responded, without the same intensity, we moved to a structure of five at the back that the team are used to. I don't believe we hindered ourselves, because even though they were closer to our goal, we could have made it 0-2. Credit also to FC Porto for believing until the end," he highlighted.

On Gyökeres' return, he commented that “He has been sidelined, and even though he is a competitive animal we have to take some care with him. The fans want it and I also wanted to have Gyökeres for 90 minutes. For now it is not possible. He started well, as did Morita. I' happy to be able to use them, albeit still with some caution, but it is what it is," he noted.

Regarding the forced departure of João Simões, Borges considered that “this is part of the game. It seems like a knock, rather than anything serious. We ended up losing a window for substitutions, but the team responded well. What makes me most upset is us losing our cool at the end and having two players sent off."

Sporting CP share the points in a 1-1 draw with FC Porto

On the brink of a win in O Clássico, Sporting Clube de Portugal had to settle for a 1-1 draw with FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão, as Iván Fresneda's first half strike was cancelled out by a stoppage time goal for the home side.

FC Porto had not won in four league games coming into the contest, and were still in search of a new identity under new coach Martín Anselmi. Sporting CP' Rui Borges made just one change to his lineup, as João Simões replaced the injured Geny Catamo. Both Hidemasa Morita and Viktor Gyökeres were back available on the bench, accompanied by new signing Biel Teixeira.

Sporting CP gave a first warning in the first three minutes, with a header from Morten Hjulmand at Diogo Costa off the opening corner of the game.

After Daniel Bragança put a ball across the face of goal, Rui Borges' team suffered yet another setback: Simões went off injured in the 23rd minute, with Zeno Debast coming on.

A mistake with the ball from Sporting CP could have had dire consequences, but the post denied Stephen Eustáquio a goal. FC Porto gained confidence, and an immediate attempt from distance by Samu hit the top netting.

In response, Trincão pulled in from the right and, from outside the area, shot low and wide. Dominance continued for Sporting CP, but there was still a lack of definition in the final third to cause real damage.

It was then that Geovany Quenda made a brilliant move to put his side ahead. He took his first opponent out of the way with class, went at the next one and overtook him at high speed, then inside the area, crossed to the feet of Iván Fresneda for the Spaniard to finish off just before the break. It was Fresneda's second goal in as many Liga Portugal games.

For the second half, FC Porto came out more aggressive, but the best opportunities belonged to Sporting CP. Totally surrounded, Maxi Araújo found his way out of a tight spot and released to Conrad Harder, who shot off target. Shortly afterwards, the centre forward tried his luck with a bicycle kick from a corner -again just wide.

From a dead ball, FC Porto found the net, but Tiago Djaló, who had put in the header, was offside. That was followed up by a Pepê header that Rui Silva countered with a great save.

With the home team taking greater risks and moving closer and closer to the area, Rui Borges brought on Morita and Gyökeres, placing Debast at the back to create a line of three defenders.

Quenda had a shot in the area and Gyökeres was also unable to finish from a chance in the box, as the game opened up.

After Gyökeres, on another one of his runs, tested Diogo Costa, FC Porto responded with the equaliser in the fourth of five minutes of added time: Fábio Vieira crossed, Samu cushioned it into the area, and Namaso sent it home to take the score to 1-1.

When Quenda had seemingly been fouled by Zé Pedro, protests and an increasingly tense atmosphere followed. Hjulmand and Matheus Reis received yellow cards, and the Brazilian defender received a second immediately afterwards and was sent off. Ousmane Diomande followed him for an incident with Fábio Vieira, for which he was shown a straight red.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Next up is a home fixture in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 qualifying play-offs, against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

A deserved 3-2 victory keeps the side top in Liga Portugal

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to winning ways with a 3-2 triumph over Boavista FC on Liga Portugal Matchday 14, in the two sides' 135th meeting. A goal from Viktor Gyõkeres and a brace from Francisco Trincão helped the team to a deserved victory.

For Sporting CP's second game of the week, following the Tuesday encounter with Club Brugge, they fielded a starting lineup of Franco Israel in goal, Eduardo Quaresma, Zeno Debast and Matheus Reis in defence, wingers Geny Catamo and Maxi Araújo , central midfielders João Simões and Morten Hjulmand, plus a front three of Trincão, Gyõkeres and Geovany Quenda.

They started well, with Quenda's shot, after receiving a pass from Araújo, hit a defender from the first chance of note.

Before the 10th minute was out, Gyõkeres had his first opportunity, off a rebound, but his effort flew over the top. Minutes later, after Geny Catamo had also shot over the crossbar, the Swedish international turned towards goal again, but placed his shot wide.

At the third time of asking, Gyökeres got his goal: Boavista's Pedro Gomes made a bad pass out, and the striker recovered the ball, rounded César and opened the scoring.

The opposition's Seba Pérez threw himself in the way of a shot from João Simões, hit from inside the box, as Sporting CP continued to turn up the heat.

Gyökeres was only slightly too late to a ball across, moments later, and then the game took a turn: Boavista FC took advantage of a moment of lower intensity to cross from the right, with Róbert Bozeník at the back post to head in the equaliser.

César prevented Araújo's cross from reaching Gyõkeres just ahead of the halftime whistle, and the game went into the interval level at 1-1.

In the second half, Sporting CP did not have to wait long to make it 2-1. They pressed high and, after a couple of threatening moves, Trincão -who had started the play- turned in a short pass from Araújo.

Catamo popped up in a good position to score inside the area, but was unable to set up his shot in time. The attacks were arriving, but once again there was a setback: Against the run of play, after a free kick, the ball went to the left and Bruno Onyemaechi got his foot in to shoot and score.

From a Sporting CP free kick, Gyökeres forced César to make a huge save. He then turned provider for Trincão, setting up his teammate with an assist from inside the box.

With the score at 3-2, Conrad Harder replaced Catamo and Quenda moved to the right wing, moving the Danish striker to the left side of the attack.

Ousmane Diomande came in for Quaresma and then Henrique Arreiol stepped in for João Simões, who received an applause for his latest solid performance.

The last ten minutes were scrappy, but Sporting CP saw it through to earn a 3-2 win at home.

They remain outright leaders of Liga Portugal, and now focus on the Taça de Portugal, where they will face CD Santa Clara on Wednesday at the Estádio José Alvalade.

A 0-1 loss to CD Santa Clara comes despite dominance in play

Sporting Clube de Portugal suffered their first league defeat of the season on Matchday 12, losing 0-1 at home to CD Santa Clara.

The first and fourth placed teams faced each other, with Sporting CP fielding Vladan Kovačević, Zeno Debast, Ousmane Diomande, Matheus Reis, Geovany Quenda, Daniel Bragança, Morten Hjulmand, Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Viktor Gyökeres and Marcus Edwards in their first XI.

High pressure was present from the beginning, with the game being played in the midfield and in the CD Santa Clara area during the opening minutes. The first shot on goal came from  Gyökeres, receiving from Trincão, but on the half-turn he shot wide of the goal. Minutes later, in another attacking move by Sporting CP, Catamo was pulled back in the area, but the referee firmly waved off the penalty appeal.

Then followed minutes of less attractive football, with several fouls and stoppages, but, once the rhythm had recovered, Sporting CP once again attacked. Reis' shot from inside the penalty area, after a pass from Edwards, went wide, then Trincão missed a header from the Englishman's delivery.

Trincão looked at goal again with a shot from the edge of the area, but the ball was intercepted, whilst from the resulting corner the opposition managed a clearance.

Hjulmand shot wide as the opportunities continued, but Sporting CP were made to pay for their profligacy. Faced with some passivity from the home team, CD Santa Clara opened the scoring with a shot from the edge of the area.

Bragança managed to give Gabriel Batista trouble and Quenda shot over the crossbar before the end of the half, but the game went into the interval with the score at 0-1.

Conrad Harder and Maxi Araújo started to warm up right after the break and entered at the beginning of the second half, with Edwards and Quenda going off. Catamo moved to the right wing and the Uruguayan international went to the left.

Os Leões were having difficulty finding spaces and causing danger, but Catamo and Gyökeres still kept Gabriel Batista busy.

Pereira also tested Kovačević with another CD Santa Clara shot from distance, but the goalkeeper was attentive and held onto the ball.

On the hour, two more changes were made by Sporting CP, with the departures of Debast and Reis, as Gonçalo Inácio and Jeremiah St. Juste were introduced.

In the 70th minute, the equaliser was in sight, but Gyökeres' header went wide. Minutes later, a corner for Sporting CP ended with Diomande heading over.

Less than 15 minutes from time, Hidemasa Morita replaced Hjulmand and the chances continued for the team, with Batista making a save and a penalty given for a foul on Araújo being reversed by VAR.

With less than ten minutes to play, time was running out for Sporting CP, and CD Santa Clara continued to stop the game frequently. They tried to make it 0-2 with another shot from distance, but Kovačević kept the effort out.

St. Juste was off target with another header following a free kick, and the goal would not come for Sporting CP. They lost the game 0-1.

Os Leões, who will face CD Santa Clara again on December 18th in the Round of 16 of the Portuguese Cup, will play again next Thursday, in Moreira de Cónegos, against Moreirense.

The coach talks about Saturday's Liga Portugal contest

Sporting Clube de Portugal return to domestic competitions this Saturday, away to FC Famalicão in Liga Portugal.

In his pre-match press conference, coach Rúben Amorim said that he envisions a match with a high degree of difficulty, against opponents seventh in the table.

“FC Famalicão do very well at their home stadium and it is very difficult to beat coach [Armando] Evangelista's teams. It took us a long time to beat FC Famalicão and last year that was a very important step towards us winning the title. This year we hope for the same," he said.

“They are a team that only have one defeat in the league, are always difficult to win against and have talented players. They like these big games, because a lot of them are in the formative stages of their careers and the talent is there, so they feel very comfortable in these matches. They defend well and make excellent transitions. This year they are playing differently and the characteristics of the players have changed. Sometimes they play with a false nine, which is very different from what happened with [Jhonder] Cádiz, who was stronger on headers than supporting teammates. At the moment, [Oscar] Aranda is in this position a lot. We expect a tough game.”

Amorim later admitted that the fact that FC Famalicão's defence, which has only conceded four goals so far, required tactical preparation.

“We spent a lot of time, especially today, on this specific aspect. They don't give you much space, they have a routine between the fullback and the centre back that is very interesting in how they mark our two players in the middle. We pay a lot of attention to this and to the positioning of the central midfielders as well. That was the focus today because we didn't have more time, but it's easier for us because the players already know the positions very well and know what we want on the pitch. Now is a time in which we have to win difficult games. That’s the goal.”

He revealed that Marcus Edwards and Eduardo Quaresma will be absent for this game and that Ousmane Diomande and Jeremiah St. Juste are back fit.

“We have more options and this helps us manage the games, especially because many competitions are coming up. Gonçalo Inácio has not been resting and, during the international break, he wasn't training. He hasn't maintained his fitness, so it's a difficult balance. He has sacrificed himself for the team. Matheus Reis will not be able to play the entire game. Diomande, as he is more physically robust, will be able to start. Let's see how he performs because he hasn't trained much with the team. But we have to look at each case individually and if he has recovered from the sprain, we’ll see what happens.”

Amorim was also pleased with the return of Pedro Gonçalves, who played minutes against SK Strum Graz after several weeks out injured.

“It will still take time to get him back up to speed, but it is excellent news. He could be on the bench or be a starter, he just can't play the whole game. If he starts, he will have to come off, that's guaranteed. Let's see if he plays from the start or if he comes on later."

He was then asked if he believes that the team are capable of making history, with the possible first Liga Portugal title defence in 70 years and reaching, for the first time in over 40 years, the quarter-finals of the Uefa Champions League.

“I already said that we are prepared and at a different level, but I don't want to increase the pressure on the team. That's the ambition. I think we have the capacity to do it. But we need luck, competence and good fortune with injuries too. I would say that is our ambition. Let's wait and not say anything about it now, because it only increases the pressure. We want to win the title, obviously. Everyone's efforts to maintain the squad was with the idea of becoming two-time champions, something that hasn't happened in 70 years. This takes us into the Champions League again and we can compensate for the financial outlay. We really want to make history, and will see how the games go.”

"We will now have a game against FC Famalicão. We had the Champions League game away, then we have the Taça da Liga game to go to the Final Four, then CD Estrela da Amadora, Manchester City FC in the Champions League and SC Braga away. We have a set of games in which, if we perform and win, it sends a message to us and to everyone outside. I would say it is a very important month," he highlighted.

The Sporting CP coach previews 'O Clássico' against FC Porto

At the Estádio José Alvalade, Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Porto meet in a Saturday encounter in Liga Portugal. The home team's coach, Rúben Amorim, spoke in a press conference on Friday to preview the match.

“FC Porto have changed a lot since the Supertaça”, he noted, specifying the new nuances in the opponents' game. “With Pepê and [Wenderson] Galeno on the same wing, they play in a completely different way. Just the fact that Galeno is at left-back creates a lot of difficulties for us in terms of the defensive approach. In terms of attack, we will play our way, which is very clear. It was difficult to prepare the defensive side, so we will stick to our principles", he explained, before pointing out the aspects that need to be improved compared to the extra time loss in the Supertaça.

“We have to defend better in key moments and be better at throw-ins and set pieces, but we also have room to improve with the ball”, he told journalists.

“We have to think that it is a long season, but this is a direct duel, we want to win it and we want to maintain our position. We have to forget what happened in the previous meeting with them, in the same way that we have to forget that we were champions last year. It is in the past".

“It has always been a 50/50 game, but now they look at Sporting CP differently. I think we have made things even. Tomorrow, we want to win and we are playing at home, which is an extra factor that helps. They are opponents who won two trophies against us not long ago; I am not saying it's a matter of revenge, but we want to change the course of those events", he pointed out.

As for his squad options, Amorim revealed that captain Morten Hjulmand and Nuno Santos are both called up. On the downside, defender Jeremiah St. Juste will continue to be absent, as he undergoes treatment without a set date for his return".

Sporting CP welcomed a new signing this past week, in left-back/winger Maxi Araújo. Amorim said he was “very pleased” with his first impressions of the Uruguayan in training. “He fits in very well with our project. He is a young player, at 24 years old, an international for his country, and plays in a position where we only had Nuno Santos. We adapted Geny Cantamo a little and Matheus Reis can also play there, but he has completely different characteristics. We needed another player and Nuno’s injury showed us that. He helps in positions at the back and further upfield".

Questioned about the transfer market, Amorim began by highlighting the club's efforts to keep key players.  “Viktor Gyökeres staying is perhaps more important than us spending his money on two forwards. Keeping players like Morten [Hjulmand], [Gonçalo] Inácio, Ousmane [Diomande], Viktor and Pedro Gonçalves is very important and this effort has been made by the club”.

“The important thing is that I am very satisfied and proud of what the club are doing, because we are doing our utmost to have the players we want. Whether a forward comes in or not, I am satisfied, because the club have done everything. The window is not yet closed and there is always hope. We will find solutions; we always have".

Asked to comment on the recent words from Cristiano Ronaldo, who wished Sporting CP all the best for the season, Rúben Amorim took the opportunity to outline the ambition that drives his team in 2024/25. “This team, with so many young players, will have a very long season, in which we have to win almost every game to become champions. We will have two derbies and two Clássicos, not to mention the cups and eight-plus Champions League games at a very high level. There are so many games of such a high calibre that, whatever happens, this team will be much stronger and the players will be better prepared at the end of the year. There is no hiding it: We really want to be two-time champions".

Amorim also addressed the recent callups to the Portuguese national team, which included four Sporting CP players: Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Gonçalves, Francisco Trincão and first-timer Geovany Quenda. “I'm very happy. They are in very good form and I think they will help the team a lot. We are entering a new cycle. I don’t think anyone expected Quenda to break out at this point, but everyone could see that if he remained humble and worked hard it would be just a matter of time. It was already, I think it was deserved, as others also deserved it."

Amorim also gave a statement on the Champions League draw, saying that "The aim is always to get to the next stage. It would always be difficult, whatever the format. The format is different and it is good to have more games, for the development of our players. We were perhaps drawn against the strongest teams at home and then we will go away against teams where people feel there is more equality. It will be a tough season and all the players have to be prepared."

The coach looks ahead to Matchday 3

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to the Algarve this Friday for an 8:15pm kickoff against SC Farense, on Liga Portugal Matchday 3.

Ahead of the game, which will be played at the Estádio Algarve, coach Rúben Amorim acknowledged that his side expect “a lot of difficulties” against the team from Faro, recalling that in the last two seasons Sporting CP beat them at the Estádio de São Luís by the smallest of margins.

“It is always difficult to play in Faro, although the stadium will be different this time and that will help a bit, because the pitch will have the same dimensions as we usually play on, which will affect the game. I foresee a difficult game against difficult opponents, and against a coach who has been in Portuguese football for longer than all of us. But we want to keep winning and maintain our position”, he began by telling journalists.

“We know their coach, his way of working and the spirit he brings to the team. SC Farense's team have improved and they have different players, although it sometimes takes a while to change certain game routines. Filipe Soares is different from Mattheus [Oliveira] and has a different pace, but with that SC Farense have lost some characteristics they had and the team have to adapt. I think that now they have central defenders who build play better, and changing that way of playing takes some time”.

Amorim also warned that the team cannot relax after the 1-6 win in Madeira last weekend against CD Nacional.

“I foresee a completely different game to how we felt in the second half against CD Nacional. It was important to forget about that during the week. SC Farense are a very aggressive team, we played against them in preseason and we know their spirit. It is important to take that into the game and have that mentality. Then there are some things that we have to improve because, although the last result was very good, there are many things that we have to improve on”, he warned.

The coach also informed that Morten Hjulmand “is not yet fit for this game” and will not be travelling to Faro.

“We could risk using him, but we are not at that stage yet. We have players with different characteristics and we will miss Morten a lot. He is our captain, but we cannot risk it. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Ribeiro and Nuno Santos are back after injury and will both be called up".

The coach also emphasised the fact that the next game is against FC Porto will not have any influence on this match -or on the starting XI in the Algarve.

“This is the most important game right now. There is no squad management because there is no game in midweek and everyone wants to play. I have said it many times: The best way to prepare for the next game is to win this one, which is the priority. It is worth three points, like the next game, and the best team will be chosen for it. We will have a lot of difficulty in beating SC Farense".

When asked about the departure of Mateus Fernandes, who joined English side Southampton this week, Amorim acknowledged that he would have liked not to have lost the player, but stressed that this was a decision made in order to ensure that other squad members who play a fundamental role remain at the club.

“That is the idea, but we cannot guarantee anything until the transfer window closes. We have lost a young player with a lot of value, who has the characteristics to be a great player, but we have made choices. He was a player who was very hard for us to lose, but if you ask me if we can afford to lose [Gonçalo] Inácio or Morten [Hjulmand], I would say no, and if we have to hold on to Viktor [Gyökeres], I would say yes. We wanted to keep Mateus and I think he would also like to have stayed, despite the fact that it is a big contract and a big league. It was difficult for everyone, but we have to make choices".

The Sporting CP coach speaks ahead of the season opener

Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin their Liga Portugal title defence this Friday, hosting Rio Ave FC at 8:15pm local time.

On Thursday, coach Rúben Amorim previewed the match and made clear the ambition of his side for the start of the season.

“I really like Rio Ave FC and I really like their coach. They play in a similar way to us, so our styles will combine very well and I think the individual duels will define many situations, but we are prepared for the difficulty of the game. We want to defend our title and we want to be champions again".

The defeat in the Super Taça was also addressed, and Amorim spoke openly about the setback, admitting that the last few days “were very difficult”, but that the focus now has to be different.

“These were perhaps the most difficult days we have ever experienced, because it was a defeat, because we lost out on a trophy and because of the situation itself. It has been difficult waking up this week, because the first thing that comes to mind is that game, but now we only have one thing to do, which is to look at this game, forget the previous one and the context and look objectively at what we need to improve. We have worked on several things, we have prepared for this game, which is in a different competition, and there is nothing like playing again to remedy a situation”, she continued.

Amorim does not believe that Sporting CP will enter the season under more pressure.

"We are always under pressure, but obviously we really want to win this game due to all the constraints that occurred in the Super Taça. Of course, my concerns are completely different from those that I would have had if we had won the Super Taça. We would have won another trophy, the week would have been much better and the confidence would be much greater, but it doesn't change anything. When this game starts, this is the one that will be important and we really want to win to continue on our path”.

The coach also commented on the incident that occurred in Aveiro, in which a Sporting fan was injured because of a glass that fell from the box where the Sporting CP players were, stating that the club's concern is, above all, for the fan.

"Our biggest concern is for Rita and we have been told that she is recovering well. A serious situation occurred that could have had even more serious consequences, and now many fingers will be pointed, but the responsibility will be determined. There was a statement from Aveiro City Council and another from her father, which were two completely different versions. I value the opinion of the person who was there more. I don't want to take responsibility for what happened away from my players, but I won't do as many people are doing and crucify them without having investigated all the situations".

“We are here to help the family, not only in their recovery, but also so that Rita can return to the stadium. We know it will be difficult, but we want to help in that aspect too".

The Sporting CP coach talks after the penultimate Liga Portugal game of the season

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim was satisfied with his side's 0-1 win against GD Estoril Praia, which allowed them to break two more records this season: 28 wins and 87 points.

“After a week of celebrations, there could always be some relaxation, but we always had the game under control. I would be more worried if there had been many chances for GD Estoril Praia or if the game had been very evenly matched, but I didn't feel that. I always felt the game was under control, with GD Estoril Praia waiting for us to lose the ball. The game started a little bit of a stalemate, with it being system against system, one team with the ball and the other without the ball, with no big chances, but we were very competent and serious and we won deservedly once again," he said.

“It was important to break the record for points and victories and now we still have one more game to increase these numbers. It always feels good to break these records and I think that this team, because of the good season they've had, the goals they scored, the spectacle they have provided and because of the atmosphere that was always there at home, deserve it."

"It's also important to win the Taça de Portugal to make it a complete season. It's not going to feel like enough if we only win the league,” commented Amorim, highlighting the ambition to win the cup competition.

“We have one more week to go, and then the league season is over. We can celebrate at the stadium for a few hours, but then we won't talk about the league title anymore. It will be the Taça de Portugal and I'm confident, knowing it's going to be a completely different game. We have to be aware of who the opposition are, who their coach is, what season it is. All of this will come into play, but we will be prepared for it.”

Amorim also praised Diogo Pinto, who debuted in goal with “a very calm performance,” and also spoke about Miguel Menino's first appearance, saying that "Sporting CP like to reward the hard work of young players."

Victory on the road against GD Estoril Praia takes the team up to 87

New champions Sporting Clube de Portugal beat GD Estoril Praia 0-1 on Matchday 33 of the Liga Portugal season, in a game played at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota.

The title winners were welcomed with a celebration by the Sportinguistas who, once again, gave Sporting CP a home atmosphere by making the short trip over from Lisbon. The team entered the pitch with a guard of honour from GD Estoril Praia, who came into the game already knowing that they would remain in the division next season after a draw for Portimonense SC.

For this penultimate match of the campaign, Rúben Amorim made some changes to the starting lineup. Of particular note was debuting goalkeeper Diogo Pinto, as the 19 year old stepped in between the sticks in the absence of the injured Antonio Adán and Franco Israel.

Also included in the XI were Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, Hidemasa Morita, Daniel Bragança, Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão, Viktor Gyökeres and Pedro Gonçalves.

The afternoon was one of celebration, in the wake of Liga Portugal title number 24, and the game started at a slower pace than usual, but Sporting CP always controlled the action.

In the first half, scoring opportunities were few and far between. Pedro Gonçalves and Daniel Bragança shot over, and Francisco Trincão had a strike go wide.

The most dangerous move ended up coming close to halftime, with Francisco Trincão setting free Pedro Gonçalves on the edge of the area, but his effort was a tame one and GD Estoril Praia goalkeeper Marcelo Carné held onto the ball without any major problems.

At the other end, Rodrigo Gomes' shot hit the post, and the score remained 0-0 at half-time.

At the beginning of the second half, the same rhythm was maintained, with the first 10 minutes going by without any chance for either team. Rúben Amorim started to adjust, and Daniel Bragança and Matheus Reis were replaced by Paulinho and Nuno Santos.

The changes were good for Sporting CP and in the last half hour they ended up showing greater intensity, reaching the opposition area more often and doing so with more danger.

Marcelo Carné was able to make two good interventions off shots from Ricardo Esgaio and Viktor Gyökeres, then from Francisco Trincão's shot, which saw the Brazilian goalkeeper shine again.

In the 81st minute, the goal finally arrived. A run by Gyökeres on the left saw the Swede pass to Nuno Santos, who played across for Paulinho to finish.

Sporting CP then went in search of a second, with Paulinho, close to the 90th minute, twice being denied by the defence.

Amorim then made two more substitutions and handed a debut to homegrown talent Miguel Menino, who entered at the same time as Iván Fresneda. Ricardo Esgaio and Pedro Gonçalves were the players who made way.

Then Koba Koindredi came on to replace Hidemasa Morita, and in stoppage time the best opportunity was Sebastián Coates' header wide.

Sporting CP took a 0-1 triumph and broke the record with 28 league victories, as well as the number of points with 87.

Next week, Liga Portugal concludes with a game at home to GD Chaves, where Sporting CP will receive the trophy.