Os Leões dominate, but require a late comeback against Belenense SAD

Sporting Clube de Portugal fought back from two goals down to salvage a draw against Belenenses SAD on Wednesday night, on Matchday 28 of the Liga NOS season. A goal from captain Sebastián Coates and an injury time penalty converted by Jovane Cabral kept Os Leões unbeaten in league action this season, extending their best ever run for a single campaign.

Coach Rúben Amorim made only a single change from Friday's 0-1 win away to SC Farense, replacing Daniel Bragança with Tiago Tomás. Sporting CP lined up with Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro, João Mário, João Palhinha, Nuno Mendes, Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves in their starting XI.

The team began the game well, controlling possession, but it was Belenenses SAD who took an early lead in the 13th minute, as Cassierra converted their first and only shot of the first half.

Sporting CP, on the other hand, had several opportunities on goal, through João Palhinha (twice), Tiago Tomás (twice), Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho. The clearest of the chances to level befell João Mário, who stepped up to take a penalty kick that was saved by Belenenses SAD goalkeeper Kritciuk saved.

Having trailed at the halftime break, Os Leões brought on Nuno Santos for Tiago Tomás for the second period to bolster their attacking output.

The script for the second half was similar to that of the first, with complete control by Sporting CP and a goal against the run of play by the visiting side in the early going.

That goal came in the 54th minute, from a backpass to goalkeeper Antonio Adán. The goalkeeper controlled the ball but, under pressure by Cassierra, hesitated to play it clear, allowing the Colombian striker to sneak in and take the score to 0-2.

A major reshuffle was made shortly afterwards, as Pedro Porro, João Palhinha and João Mário made way for Bruno Tabata, Daniel Bragança and Jovane Cabral.

The 0-2 deficit continued into the final ten minutes, until Sporting CP finally found their opening. Nuno Santos sent in a cross, and Coates rose to convert, giving his team a lifeline.

Only half of the task had been completed, and deep into stoppage time Os Leões were facing a first league loss off the season. That was until another long ball found its way into the area, where Cabral headed across. Contact with the arm of Tiago Esgaio led to the referee blowing his whistle and awarding a second penalty of the game, and an opportunity to equalise in the dying moments.

Cabral this time took on responsibility, and beat Kritciuk from the penalty spot to complete the comeback.

Although Sporting CP had the better of the play, and controlled the game, the end result allowed for a point and another display of resilience. Next up is an away trip to play SC Braga on Sunday.