Victory on the road against GD Estoril Praia takes the team up to 87

New champions Sporting Clube de Portugal beat GD Estoril Praia 0-1 on Matchday 33 of the Liga Portugal season, in a game played at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota.

The title winners were welcomed with a celebration by the Sportinguistas who, once again, gave Sporting CP a home atmosphere by making the short trip over from Lisbon. The team entered the pitch with a guard of honour from GD Estoril Praia, who came into the game already knowing that they would remain in the division next season after a draw for Portimonense SC.

For this penultimate match of the campaign, Rúben Amorim made some changes to the starting lineup. Of particular note was debuting goalkeeper Diogo Pinto, as the 19 year old stepped in between the sticks in the absence of the injured Antonio Adán and Franco Israel.

Also included in the XI were Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, Hidemasa Morita, Daniel Bragança, Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão, Viktor Gyökeres and Pedro Gonçalves.

The afternoon was one of celebration, in the wake of Liga Portugal title number 24, and the game started at a slower pace than usual, but Sporting CP always controlled the action.

In the first half, scoring opportunities were few and far between. Pedro Gonçalves and Daniel Bragança shot over, and Francisco Trincão had a strike go wide.

The most dangerous move ended up coming close to halftime, with Francisco Trincão setting free Pedro Gonçalves on the edge of the area, but his effort was a tame one and GD Estoril Praia goalkeeper Marcelo Carné held onto the ball without any major problems.

At the other end, Rodrigo Gomes' shot hit the post, and the score remained 0-0 at half-time.

At the beginning of the second half, the same rhythm was maintained, with the first 10 minutes going by without any chance for either team. Rúben Amorim started to adjust, and Daniel Bragança and Matheus Reis were replaced by Paulinho and Nuno Santos.

The changes were good for Sporting CP and in the last half hour they ended up showing greater intensity, reaching the opposition area more often and doing so with more danger.

Marcelo Carné was able to make two good interventions off shots from Ricardo Esgaio and Viktor Gyökeres, then from Francisco Trincão's shot, which saw the Brazilian goalkeeper shine again.

In the 81st minute, the goal finally arrived. A run by Gyökeres on the left saw the Swede pass to Nuno Santos, who played across for Paulinho to finish.

Sporting CP then went in search of a second, with Paulinho, close to the 90th minute, twice being denied by the defence.

Amorim then made two more substitutions and handed a debut to homegrown talent Miguel Menino, who entered at the same time as Iván Fresneda. Ricardo Esgaio and Pedro Gonçalves were the players who made way.

Then Koba Koindredi came on to replace Hidemasa Morita, and in stoppage time the best opportunity was Sebastián Coates' header wide.

Sporting CP took a 0-1 triumph and broke the record with 28 league victories, as well as the number of points with 87.

Next week, Liga Portugal concludes with a game at home to GD Chaves, where Sporting CP will receive the trophy.