Sporting CP win 0-3 against Rio Ave FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal took an emphatic 0-3 away win at Rio Ave FC 0-3 in Liga Portugal, having been by far the better side throughout on a cold night in Vila do Conde. An own goal by Aderlan Santos put them ahead, followed by a penalty by Morten Hjulmand and a late strike from Viktor Gyökeres.

Coach Rui Borges made several changes to his starting XI, including handing a debut to new signing Rui Silva. Iván Fresneda, Gonçalo Inácio, Zeno Debast and Conrad Harder came in for Edwards, Quaresma, St. Juste, Simões and Gyökeres.

It took just three minutes for Sporting CP to get out in front, as Geovany Quenda's cross was met by Iván Fresneda. The hit was blocked by a defender, before Aderllan Santos' attempt to clear sent the ball into his own net.

Sporting CP continued to be the better side exerting a high press that made it impossible for Rio Ave FC to build from the back. The opportunities kept coming, in the form of shots from Conrad Harder and Morten Hjulmand that were saved by goalkeeper Cezary Miszta.

In the 15th minute, Miszta made another stop from Francisco Trincão, but the second goal came soon after. A handball in the box led to a penalty, which Hjulmand dispatched to double the lead.

Geny Catamo then threatened with an arcing shot that went slightly over and, in the 38th minute, Quenda was set up by Conrad Harder, struck hard and hit the crossbar.

Soon after, the Portuguese tried to feed the Dane, who was denied by Miszta, and just before the break Catamo went down the right and teed up Harder, who narrowly missed the target.

Shortly after the second half got underway, Sporting CP continued to create a large number of chances. Quenda sent an effort wide and Harder was inches away from a deflection that would have made it 0-3. The striker then had a large number of dangerous moments, which included another Miszta stop and a rebound slashed wide. Hjulmand was also denied twice by the home goalkeeper.

Quenda and Conrad Harder had more efforts kept out by Miszta, before the pace of the game slowed down. With ten minutes to go, Catamo and Harder made way for Daniel Bragança - back after more than a month out due to injury - and Viktor Gyökeres. The Swede's impact was immediate, as he could have scored almost instantly.

When he did get his goal, it was in the 88th minute, as Bragança led the counterattack and Gyökeres cut in from the left to the middle and shot with precision for his 33rd goal in 31 games in 2024/25.

Gyökeres also hit the post before the end, as the score remained 0-3 at the final whistle.  Sporting CP will now travel to Germany to face RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Zeno Debast (João Simões, 68'), Morten Hjulmand [C], Geny Catamo (Daniel Bragança, 80'), Geovany Quenda, Francisco Trincão (Ricardo Esgaio, 89') and Conrad Harder (Viktor Gyökeres, 80').