Sporting come back from 2-0 down at half-time
Sporting pulled off one of the most memorable comebacks since the inauguration of the new Estádio José Alvalade in 2003 this Sunday. Trailing 2-0 at half-time on what was an afternoon of absolutely torrential rain in the Portuguese capital, Jorge Jesus' side rallied in the second-half to ensure that the gap at the top of Liga NOS stays at a minimum of four points.
The visitors made their intentions for the afternoon clear in the opening exchanges, with Braga's pace and creativity looking likely to cause problems. After just a minute of action, Wilson drove a shot goalwards after a corner and five minutes later Pedro Santos had Rui Patrício twitching with a curved effort. Jorge Jesus' side weathered the early storm and were soon down the other end, with João Mário denied by Kritciuk after the Portuguese international had broken free of his marker in the area.
After two efforts that finished up the wrong side of the crossbar from Bruno César, it was Slimani's turn to break through on goal in front of the isolated Kritciuk, but the Braga keeper held his ground well to comfortably deny the Algerian's chip. Seven minutes later, João Mário curved a corner out to the onrushing Paulo Oliveira, but his header crashed against the post and Kritciuk somehow clawed the loose ball off the line. Despite the on-way traffic, it was actually Braga who took the lead, when Wilson Eduardo made the most of some scrappy play in the area to find the bottom corner. To add insult to injury, Rafa charged through the middle four minutes later and made it 2-0.
Jorge Jesus rang the changes at half-time, bringing off William Carvalho and introducing Gelson Martins down the right. After three minutes of action Bryan Ruiz was somehow denied by the Braga keeper, a minute before Rui Patrício made a fine stop from Pedro Santos. Back down the other end, Sporting finally found the back of the net when Adrien converted on a penalty after a clear handball from André Pinto.
The goal broke Braga's resistance and Slimani could have completed the comeback almost immediately with golden opportunities in the 59th and 65th minute. Kritciuk made another brilliant stop in the 71st minute from a low shot by Gelson Martins, but the Braga keeper could do little to keep Montero out five minutes later after the Colombian latched onto a shot by Jefferson.
Sp. Braga could have won it themselves in the dying stages, but Rui Patrício was on hand to deny Rafa, before Slimani sealed the result with a 90th minute header after a wire-guided cross from Bryan Ruiz.
