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.

Sporting CP visit GD Estoril Praia on Saturday (6pm)

A week on from their Liga Portugal title win, Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota to play GD Estoril Praia on Saturday. It will be the 33rd and penultimate matchday of the season.

Ahead of the game, coach Rúben Amorim began by talking about how he experienced the club's 24 such title.

"It was a big party on a special day, but that is already in the past. Everyone was waiting for the title to be confirmed -me more than the players and staff, because I was the only one who was dressed to go on the bus. My belief is always greater than that of the rest of the people. It was a special day, but after two days it no longer feels like anything because we have things to do and goals to achieve," the coach told journalists.

“We still have the Taça de Portugal and we continue on our path, forgetting about the party a little now. Tomorrow we will try to win and not concede goals. The record is 27 victories in a season and we can achieve 28. Above all, if we want to win the next trophy we need everyone to keep up the pace and be prepared so that we can choose the best team. There is still a lot to be won."

He clarified that, due to fitness problems for Franco Israel and Antonio Adán, it will be 19-year-old Diogo Pinto who will play in goal for his debut with Sporting CP's first team.

“Antonio is still injured and cannot play, Franco has had surgery and is out for the rest of the season. For now, Pinto will be the starter. We have Francisco [Silva] on the bench and [Guilherme] Pires as third choice goalkeeper, but we trust everyone. He's a kid who's grown up here, he'll be making his debut for the first team and it's a big weight to carry. But the context helps because we are already champions and all the other players will help him, because he is prepared to help us keep a clean sheet.”

In addition to Diogo Pinto, the coach was asked about a possible debut for Geovany Quenda, but dismissed this hypothesis, revealing however that there could be another player featuring in his first official match: Miguel Menino, a 21-year-old midfielder from the B team.

“There could be a situation where a kid who came up here makes his debut, but it won't be Quenda. We believe a lot in Quenda and that he will eventually be a champion at Sporting CP, but there are other kids whose future, given their age, could lie somewhere other than Sporting CP -and we pay attention to that. These are kids who helped us a lot in training, but they didn't have the visibility others got and they aren't in our plans for next year. Menino will be called up, Quenda will not. We believe he will be a champion at Sporting CP, so he will have time to do so."

As for GD Estoril Praia, who are currently 13th in the table and fighting to stay up, Amorim does not expect an easy time.

“GD Estoril are a team that play well, and playing away from home is not the same as playing at home."

“The team that will play will be set up to win the game, but it will not be the same as against GD Chaves. Management will be carried out so that during the week of the Taça de Portugal everyone is at their best. But you will see from the XI that we want to win, because we have important objectives, such as surpassing Sporting CP's best points and victories records and continuing to keep clean sheets. We have become champions, but there is already the weight of winning another trophy and thinking about next year. The good feelings are over, now it’s time for the Taça de Portugal, the records and preparing for next season.”

The coach looks forward to the Friday fixture against CF Estrela da Amadora

After the international break, Sporting Clube de Portugal are back in action on Friday, to face Estrela da Amadora on Liga Portugal Matchday 27.

Coach Rúben Amorim held a press conference on Thursday and assured journalists that the break “enabled us to recover some players, to rest up, whilst others went away with their national teams.”

“[Gonçalo] Inácio played 90 minutes in the last game and, due to the recovery period and the injury to his hamstring he had recently, we may have to take precautions there. The rest of the squad are ready for the game. We had a mishap with Sebastián Coates, but he has recovered, Marcus Edwards has already done more or less two days of training, and at the last minute we have Francisco Trincão back from injury. At this moment we have to take everyone, because we know it will be a difficult game."

He also confirmed that Pedro Gonçalves will miss out due to injury, saying that "We are going to do our best so that he can be with us next week."

Regarding coach Sérgio Vieira's CF Estrela da Amadora, currently 13th in the table with 26 points, Amorim highlighted that they are a team with “very fast players up front” and recalled the “problems” experienced in the first meeting this season, in Alvalade.

“I think we will improve. We have to be cautious and as strong as we were, for example, against Moreirense FC with stopping the transitions. We need to be very focused. On set pieces there is a specific player from CF Estrela da Amadora who, when he is playing, makes this aspect even more important."

“We have to get back to the mentality of knowing that we can't drop points, we have to win, we know that the season is coming to an end. We are ready for the game," he stressed.

With a game in hand, Sporting CP are the outright leaders with 65 points, one ahead of SL Benfica. They play their local rivals in consecutive derbies, beginning in the Taca de Portugal semifinals on Tuesday.

Before next weekend's league derby, the squad have a total of six players one yellow card away from serving a suspension: Morten Hjulmand, Ousmane Diomande, Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards, Luís Neto and Ricardo Esgaio. Despite this, Amorim highlighted that the “only squad management that will be done is tactical and physical, as always."

“It's not because there are two derbies coming up, but because there are many players who could be left out of the next game and we don't know which will be the most important game of the season. We have to play every game at 100%," he highlighted, before reinforcing that transfer rumours are not affecting his players.

“Right now, everything is focused on the league. We really want to win trophies and we know the importance of these upcoming games. Anything can happen until the end of the season. We experienced this with our last title, and when we least expected it we dropped six points in four games. I think this game with CF Estrela da Amadora is even more important. It’s about preparing for a different kind of game."

“It was harder to get the message across last year when we were in fourth place. In those stages of the season it is more difficult to make the players believe in the idea and the project, and they always have done. That's not the case this time. We are nine games away from being champions at a club that doesn't win that many titles in a row, so the message is always there."

The comprehensive result keeps the team top

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Boavista FC 6-1 in a Sunday night home fixture on Liga Portugal Matchday 26, thanks to a hat trick from Viktor Gyökeres, a brace from Paulinho and a goal from Nuno Santos. The win maintains the team's perfect home record in the league after 13 games at the Estádio José Alvalade.

To face Boavista FC, who started the game in tenth place (28 points), coach Rúben Amorim made five changes to the starting eleven from the match against Atalanta BC. The injured Pedro Gonçalves and Marcus Edwards were out, with Sebastián Coates and Hidemasa Morita returning directly to the starting lineup and Nuno Santos, Geny Catamo and Paulinho also selected.

Although the away team had gone two games without losing (1-1 with FC Famalicão and 1-0 against Moreirense FC), as visitors they were on a run of four games without a victory (2D 2L).

Before the action got underway, Matheus Reis was honoured for reaching the milestone of 150 games for Sporting CP.

The game had a difficult start, as after the third minute, at the edge of the area, Gaius Makouta took advantage of a ball cleared by Franco Israel to make it 0-1 to Boavista FC.

A few moments later, Sporting CP had a goal flagged offside to deny Francisco Trincão. Soon after, Paulinho and Matheus Reis both called goalkeeper João Gonçalves into action with crosses that swerved towards goal, and Viktor Gyökeres struck an effort over the crossbar.

Little by little, Sporting CP pushed Boavista FC back and began to impose their game. In the best opportunity of this spell, Ousmane Diomande and Paulinho combined and Gyökeres' shot failed to find the target.

In turn, the visitors from the city of Porto started to waste time, and also did not shy away from accumulating fouls and breaking, whenever possible, the rhythm of the match.

After half an hour, referee António Nobre decided to show a yellow card to each side – for Salvador Agra and Morten Hjulmand – which provoked strong protests from the hosts.

After much insistence, Sporting CP equalised just before halftime. After Paulinho narrowly missed a cross from Gyökeres and Trincão shot from distance to produces a good save from João Gonçalves, the deserved goal to make it 1-1 finally came.

The roles were reversed and this time it was Paulinho, on the left, setting up his Swedish teammate, who sent the ball into the net.

Amorim immediately brought on midfielder Daniel Bragança in the second half in place of Hjulmand, and Sporting CP went out in search of completing the turnaround, maintaining the total dominance with which they ended the first half. In the 49th minute a double opportunity came their way, but Coates' header was saved and on the rebound Diomande hit the ball badly and missed the target.

The goal to take the score to 2-1 didn't take much longer in coming, and in the 54th minute, Geny Catamo sent a perfect, arcing cross into the area and found Paulinho for the finish.

Gonçalo Inácio replaced Matheus Reis after the goal, as the home side pushed for more.

In the area, Gyökeres pulled inside and shot low into the back of the net in the 68th minute and, around ten minutes later, sealed his hat trick by converting a penalty for his 22nd league goal.

Between Gyökeres' two goals, Paulinho had also had an attempt with a header, but was denied by João Gonçalves.

With Eduardo Quaresma, Ricardo Esgaio and Koba Koindredi on the pitch, the action continued with further goals.

It was Nuno Santos' opportunism inside the area, pushing a ball across the line, which made it 5-1, then Paulinho rounded off the night with the final strike.

With the final score at 6-1, league leaders Sporting CP reinforced their status as the most successful attack in the league, with 75 goals scored.

After the international break, they travel to take on CF Estrela da Amadora.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Geny Catamo, Ousmane Diomande (Eduardo Quaresma, 72’), Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis (Gonçalo Inácio, 55’), Morten Hjulmand (Daniel Bragança, 46’), Hidemasa Morita (Koba Koindredi, 84’), Francisco Trincão (Ricardo Esgaio, 84’), Paulinho e Viktor Gyökeres.

A back-and-forth game ends with the spoils shared

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 3-3 with Rio Ave FC in a Sunday night showdown on Matchday 23 in Liga Portugal. Sebastián Coates scored the equaliser for the team, who had previously overcome a deficit to go ahead through Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyökeres. 

Facing a team in an uncomfortable 16th place, Rúben Amorim made five changes to the Sporting CP starting XI. Coates, Geny Catamo, Nuno Santos, Hidemasa Morita and Pedro Gonçalves all came in while Eduardo Quaresma, Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Reis, Daniel Bragança and Marcus Edwards were on the bench – striker Paulinho continued to be an absentee due to injury.

Vila do Conde's Estádio dos Arcos was a daunting place to go. Rio Ave FC hadn't lost in six games at home, since October of last year, and had only conceded three goals in those matches.

Three minutes into the game, the forecast rain and wind arrived, bringing with it a Rio Ave FC goal. From the first attack of the match, a long pass to the left was followed up by Umaro Embaló cutting inside, sending a shot into the net. The disadvantage did not last more than six minutes, however, as off a corner kick, Morten Hjulmand appeared in the area to strike low and restore parity.

A double opportunity to score came shortly after, but Rio Ave's Jhonatan denied Viktor Gyökeres off his hit from outside the area and, on the rebound, he did the same to Francisco Trincão. After the 20th minute, Gyökeres once again aimed for goal, but without success.

Rio Ave FC not only survived this tough phase but also responded with danger. First, with Embaló shooting over the bar when Adán was still getting into position, then Fábio Ronaldo hitting the post off a fast attack.

In a crazy end to the first half, a poor backpass was latched onto for Gyökeres to score his 30th goal for the club -and the team's 100th in 2023/2024. On the next move, in stoppage time, Yakubu Aziz converted a penalty given due to a foul by Nuno Santos.

In between the goals, Trincão was injured, being replaced by Marcus Edwards. At halftime, Amorim made another change by introducing Eduardo Quaresma for Gonçalo Inácio – Diomande occupying the centre back spot on the left.

Upon the restart, Sporting CP's intentions became clear. Miguel Nóbrega needed to cut out a clinical pass by Gyökeres for Edwards in the best opportunity early on. After an hour of play, Gonçalves went down in the area, with the penalty appeal ignored, and Amorim made further substitutions, introducing Matheus Reis for Nuno Santos.

A penalty was given against Sporting CP, as Adán committed a foul in the box. Aziz converted to put Rio Ave FC ahead for the second time.

Sporting CP's reaction was not long in coming, captain Coates appearing when he was most needed. Gonçalves crossed into the area and the Uruguayan central defender rose highest to head in, making it 3-3. He then stayed up front with Gyökeres for the closing quarter-hour. They looked for a winning goal until the end, but both Edwards and Gonçalves shot well over. There was a late sending off for Rio Ave's Pantalon, but no change on the scoresheet.

With this draw in Vila do Conde, Sporting CP were unable to take advantage of FC Porto's own draw in Barcelos and are now in second place with 56 points, two behind SL Benfica. Their local rivals are their next opponents, but in the Taça de Portugal semifinals on Thursday.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Geny Catamo, Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Santos (Matheus Reis, 61'), Morten Hjulmand, Hidemasa Morita, Francisco Trincão (Marcus Edwards, 44'), Pedro Gonçalves, Viktor Gyökeres.