Sporting CP beat GD Estoril Praia at home

Sporting Clube de Portugal took a 3-1 home win over GD Estoril Praia on Liga Portugal Matchday 24, through an early goal from Gonçalo Inácio and two strikes from Viktor Gyökeres.

Still unable to field the same starting XI for consecutive games since taking over, Rui Borges brought in Eduardo Felicíssimo to replace Alexandre Brito. The young Leão, a starter for the first time, had already played six minutes against AVS Futebol SAD on the last matchday.

Gyökeres, in place of Conrad Harder, and Ousmane Diomande, for Maxi Araújo, also returned to the initial lineup. The Swede was on a mission: To score against the only team in the Portuguese league who had not conceded to him.

Before the opening whistle, captain Gonçalo Inácio was applauded by the more than 36,000 Sporting CP fans present at the Estádio José Alvalade, as he received a shirt and a plaque commemorating his 200 games for the club from president Frederico Varandas.

It was fitting, then, that he had an instant impact on the game. In the fifth minute, off a free kick taken from the left by Zeno Debast, Inácio headed home to make it 1-0.

On fifteen minutes, after an excellent cross from Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão could have increased the lead, but was denied by Felix Bacher's intervention.

Three minutes later, after a clever team move, Trincão shot powerfully from outside the area with an effort that was just off target.

The opportunities then began to accumulate. First, Diomande headed over the top. Then Gyökeres had his first effort denied by goalkeeper Joel Robles. Trincão sent an effort over the bar to end the flurry.

GD Estoril Praia, a side unbeaten since December, tried to react but without much success. The exception came in the 26th minute, when Matheus Reis had to clear a swerving cross coming from the left flank for a corner.

At the other end, Gyökeres had two good chances in as many minutes kept out by Robles. But it would not be long before he opened his account for the night.

In the 35th minute, the striker, played through by Debast, he sauntered towards the area to score a trademark goal and make it 2-0.

GD Estoril Praia had three attempts before the end of the first half, with Wagner Pina, Yanis Begraoui and João Carvalho all either being denied by Rui Silva or shooting off target.

The second half was a slow burner, and Rui Borges made his first change just before the hour: Matheus Reis went off injured, and Geny Catamo came in to return after a month out.

Debast, who had provided two assists, nearly got a goal of his own, but his effort off a corner came back off the post.

On 78 minutes, Rui Borges freshened things up with the introduction of Conrad Harder, Henrique Arreiol and José Silva – making his debut for the Sporting CP first team.

GD Estoril Praia managed to pull a goal back in the 84th minute, through Gonçalo Costa, then the visitors pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

However, in stoppage time, it was Sporting CP who reestablished their advantage. Harder recovered the ball near the middle of the park, picking out Gyökeres. In his duel for the ball with João Carvalho, VAR showed a handball in the box, and the Swede duly dispatched the penalty for his 25th goal in the league this season, giving Sporting CP a 3-1 win

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Matheus Reis (Geny Catamo, 58'), Zeno Debast, Viktor Gyökeres, Francisco Trincão (Conrad Harder, 78'), Iván Fresneda, Gonçalo Inácio [C], Ousmane Diomande, Ricardo Esgaio, Geovany Quenda (José Silva, 78') and Eduardo Felicíssimo (Henrique Arreiol, 78').