Sporting CP triumph 3-1 in their second preseason friendly

Sporting Clube de Portugal ended their preseason stay in the Algarve with a 3-1 victory over Belenenses SAD on Sunday night.

Rúben Amorim initially fielded the 11 players who concluded the previous friendly against Portimonense SC on Friday: Adán, Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Borja, Ristovski, Daniel Bragança, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes, Jovane Cabral, Pedro Gonçalves and Tiago Tomás all featured in his starting lineup.

Sporting CP took the lead in the 11th minute with a goal from Pedro Gonçalves - his first unofficial strike for the club. He was set up by Tiago Tomás, who was returning the favour after the assist provided by Gonçalves two days prior.

The early advantage was doubled on 25 minutes, as Tomás scored off a pass by Jovane Cabral.

Sporting CP held their 2-0 lead into the break, where coach Amorim again decided to rotate goalkeepers. Adán was taken off, allowing Luís Maximiano 45 minutes of action.

Further substitutions were made on the 70 minute mark, mirroring the strategy from the previous friendly. All ten outfield players were taken off, replaced by Pedro Porro, Zou Feddal, Coates, Luís Neto, Antunes, Rodrigo Fernandes, Wendel, Nuno Santos, Gonzalo Plata and Andraž Šporar.

The team took the score to 3-0 in the 74th minute, after a long ball upfield from Maximiano. Šporar broke into the area and placed his shot well, taking the score to 3-0.

Although Belenenses would pull a goal back in the 86th minute, Sporting CP were never in difficulty, and made it two wins from two friendlies thus far in preseason. The next fixture for the team is scheduled for September 4th, when they take on Spanish side Real Valladolid in Alverca.