Sporting take early lead but Spanish side snatch win courtesy of a hattrick

Sporting lost out to Betis in Estádio Algarve this Thursday, in a match which Sporting actually scored first through Alan Ruiz, only to be outdone by a hattrick from Ruben Castro.

The first chance of the encounter fell to the team from Alvalade, when Schelotto and Alan Ruiz linked up for Schelotto to fire his shot high. Sporting's solid start to the game was asking for a goal and it wasn't long in coming, when Bryan Ruiz broke away down the right in the 17th minute and drove in a low cross that Alan Ruiz finished off with the easiest of finishes.

Betis responded 10 minutes later, when Tony Sanabria led a breakaway after Bryan Ruiz slipped up in possession, ending in a cross put away with a header by Ruben Castro. To add insult to injury, Betis netted again a minute later, in a show of efficiency in front of goal by the in-form Ruben Castro.

The game settled after the early three goals, with Jorge Jesus' side looking the more dominant. However, neither side really managed to boss proceedings, largely due to some heavy and sometimes excessive tackling.

Jorge Jesus rang the changes at the break, bringing off Coates, Schelotto, William Carvalho and Bryan Ruiz for Paulo Oliveira, João Pereira, Petrovic and Podence. The move however failed to give Sporting a lift and Ruben Catro netted his third with some persistant play after Rui Patrício managed to stop his initial effort.

Losing by two, Jesus introduced Marvin, Paulista, Alan Ruiz, Bruno César and Gelson for Jefferson, Palhinha, Slimani, Iuri and Meli and Sporting took the initiative with some pressing play up front. However clear chances were few and far between.

Slimani struck with 15 minutes left with a beautiful header to give Sporting hope of at least snatching a draw, however Betis' clinical touch in front of goal had already done the damage.