The team recover from a first half goal to win 1-3 on the road

In their final game before the international break, Sporting Clube de Portugal won 1-3 away to Vitória SC on Matchday 27 of the Liga Portugal season.

Despite going behind, the team left Guimarães with all three points after an extremely demanding game. Pablo Sarabia made it 1-1 just before the break and Paulinho, in the 70th minute, confirmed the turnaround, which would be completed in stoppage time with a great goal from Marcus Edwards.

With an almost full squad available, minus the suspended Zouhair Feddal, coach Rúben Amorim made four changes to his starting XI: Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Santos, Ricardo Esgaio and Pablo Sarabia began the match, with Luís Neto and Marcus Edwards - facing their former team - returning to the substitutes' bench and Pedro Porro a late withdrawal.

At the always demanding Estádio D. Afonso Henriques – where Vitória SC had only lost one of their last nine games – no easy task was expected for Os Leões. Their opponents were the sixth-placed team in the league bolstered by victories achieved in their two previous rounds.

Before kick-off, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21st), the two teams combined for a joint photo as part of the league's "Racismo Não" campaign, which will run throughout the matchday. In addition, each player appeared on the pitch with two stripes on their face – a symbol of equality.

Comfortable with the ball and taking the initiative, Sporting CP alternated between patient build-ups and long shots to break down the defence. They monopolised possession in the first ten minutes, but it would be Rochinha, from the home team, who enjoyed the opening opportunity, saved by Antonio Adán.

In response, Sebastián Coates headed over off a corner kick, and Sporting CP upped their opportunities: Sarabia had two good chances, shooting straight at Bruno Varela and then running the ball too long.

Vitória SC opened the scoring through Óscar Estupiñan, who broke inside from the edge of the area and sent the ball into the net.

The match picked up pace, with Slimani having an effort saved by the goalkeeper. As the intensity also increased, a tangle between Abdul Mumin and Paulinho saw the home team's coach Pepa sent to the stands before the half-hour.

The siege of Vitória SC's area would be rewarded when Sporting CP won a penalty for handball by Alfa Semedo. Sarabia converted from the spot for his 14th goal of the season, putting his side back on terms.

In the second period, Amorim introduced the returning Pedro Gonçalves in place of Slimani, and the impact was immediate. First, Paulinho – who moved to the centre of the forward line – came close to scoring through a lob of the goalkeeper. Then, on the next move, only a touch of a promising low cross by Matheus Nunes was lacking.

Clearly on top, Sporting CP pushed the home team back into the final third, creating opportunities in a fluid way, but without the effectiveness to take full advantage.

It was not until the 70th minute that the reigning champions took the lead, and Paulinho was the man to provide it. Assisted by Pedro Gonçalves, the forward successfully struck to make it 1-2.

After a delay due to an incident in the stands, the dynamic of the contest changed, due to Vitória SC's need to find an equaliser. They accumulated crosses into Adán's area, which the goalkeeper fended off successfully.

In turn, looking to kill off the match, Amorim introduced Luís Neto, João Palhinha and Marcus Edwards onto the pitch in one fell swoop, accompanied later by Daniel Bragança.

In one of the nine minutes of stoppage time, Edwards put the result beyond all doubt, striking beautifully from outside the box against his former club.

The 1-3 win takes Sporting CP to 67 points. After three consecutive away games, they return to Alvalade to face FC Paços de Ferreira on April 3rd, after the international break.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Ricardo Esgaio, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Nuno Santos (Luís Neto, 85'), Manuel Ugarte (João Palhinha, 85'), Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 90+6'), Pablo Sarabia (Marcus Edwards, 85'), Paulinho and Islam Slimani (Pedro Gonçalves, 54').