Coates and Sarabia goals earn 1-2 win against Casa Pia AC

Sporting Clube de Portugal triumphed 1-2 on Wednesday night away to Casa Pia AC, in the Fifth Round of the Taça de Portugal. Through goals scored by Sebastián Coates and Pablo Sarabia, the team secured a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Rúben Amorim returned to the place where he began his coaching career, and made several changes to the starting XI for the occasion: João Virgínia, João Palhinha, Daniel Bragança, Flávio Nazinho, Bruno Tabata and Ricardo Esgaio came into the side.

Casa Pia AC -who ply their trade in the second division- started well, and opened the scoring after eight minutes. Poloni crossed from the left and Jota Silva appeared for a well-placed header, to hand the home side the lead.

Sporting CP reacted with a series of attacks, and started to get closer and closer to an equaliser. João Palhinha headed over the top and Daniel Bragança forced an intervention from goalkeeper Lucas Paes. Finally, the goal arrived in the 32nd minute: A corner kick taken by Pedro Gonçalves was deflected by the defence to the far post, where Sebastián Coates converted.

Before halftime, two more moves could have brought Sporting CP a goal: In the 34th minute, Bruno Tabata went through, but Lucas Paes saved. In the 42nd minute, Daniel Bragança struck wide.

Amorim brought on Paulinho at the interval, taking off Flávio Nazinho, and his presence in the centre of the attack immediately made an impact, providing more space for Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Gonçalves.

João Palhinha had a dangerous chance early on and, shortly afterwards, Gonçalves sent a tame shot towards the goalkeeper. On 52 minutes, a shot against the post proved that Sporting CP were well on top of the game.

Five minutes later, a great shot from Sarabia hit the crossbar, with Gonçalves being denied shortly thereafter by a great save from Lucas Paes. However, referee Rui Costa, after consulting VAR, deemed that Sarabia's effort had crossed the line, awarding the goal as the score moved to 1-2.

Sporting CP continued to put pressure on, and efforts for Gonçalves, Paulinho and Bruno Tabata all came close.

Tabata was sent off in the 71st minute following an incident with Jota Silva, making the task more difficult for the visitors.

With 15 minutes to go, Nuno Santos, Matheus Nunes and Manuel Ugarte came on for Pedro Gonçalves, Daniel Bragança and João Palhinha, respectively, whilst Casa Pia AC pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Sporting CP would hold on to win 1-2, progressing to the quarter finals of the Taça de Portugal. They will next be in action in Liga Portugal, playing Portimonense SC on December 29th.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha (Manuel Ugarte, 75'), Daniel Bragança (Matheus Nunes, 75'), Flávio Nazinho (Paulinho, 45' '), Pablo Sarabia, Bruno Tabata and Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos, 75').