​Sporting CP overcome FC Vizela 3-0 as fans return to the Estádio José Alvalade

Sporting Clube de Portugal got the 2021/2022 league season off to a winning start at the Estádio José Alvalade, providing a resounding 3-0 victory over FC Vizela in front of their home fans -in attendance for the first time in 516 days.

With Pedro Porro and Nuno Mendes both unavailable, coach Rúben Amorim gave starting roles to new arrivals Ricardo Esgaio and Rúben Vinagre against the top flight newcomers, playing for the first time in the Primeira Liga since 1985.

The fans were treated to the displaying of the 2020/21 league trophy by captain Sebastián Coates before kickoff, and once the game got underway Sporting CP took control. Practically without letting FC Vizela touch the ball, they were calm, patient and persistent in the opening stanza.

After trying his luck with a shot over the crossbar previously, on 22 minutes Jovane Cabral enjoyed the first big opportunity of the match. A low pass from Rúben Vinagre found the Cape Verdean, whose shot was on target but blocked by a defender. Soon after, Paulinho also came very close to breaking the deadlock.

After half an hour of play, Sporting CP won a penalty for handball by Koffi. Cabral stepped up to take, but rattled the woodwork with his effort.

Goalkeeper Antonio Adán untroubled in the first half, Os Leões were nevertheless unable to get out in front before the interval -the score remaining 0-0 at half time.

The first goal was not long in coming after the restart, however: Three minutes in, Paulinho served up a pass to last season's top scores, Pedro Gonçalves, who slammed a right footed shot into the net from distance.

FC Vizela attempted a reaction with the help of former Sporting CP B team player Nuno Moreira, but any danger provided was short-lived. In the 64th minute, after a Ricardo Esgaio cross, Gonçalves chested down, loaded up a shot and struck again to make it 2-0.

On 74 minutes, when the visitors appeared beaten, Sporting CP put the win beyond all doubt. After a sprint down the left, Nuno Santos set up Paulinho with a pass, the striker only having to convert from inside the area.

Winning by a comfortable margin, and with just ten minutes remaining, Amorim's men eased the pressure slightly, but were still close to scoring a fourth through Daniel Bragança. His shot was saved spectacularly by Charles.

The victory was a perfect opening to the season for Sporting CP, who are back in action on August 14th against SC Braga on Matchday 2.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Gonçalo Inácio, Zouhair Feddal (Tiago Tomás, 86') and Sebastián Coates [C], Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Nunes, João Palhinha (Daniel Bragança, 78'), Rúben Vinagre (Matheus Reis, 78'), Jovane Cabral (Nuno Santos, 68'), Pedro Gonçalves (Bruno Tabata, 86') and Paulinho