Santos and Vietto score against FC Porto as the points are shared

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 2-2 with FC Porto in 'O Clássico' on Saturday night at the Estadio José Alvalade, thanks to goals either side of half time by Nuno Santos and Luciano Vietto. The main talking point of the game, however, would be a decision reversed by referee Luis Godinho that possibly denied the team victory.

The players took to the pitch wearing a replica of Rui Jordão's jersey from the 1979/1980 season, for one of Liga NOS' showcase games. It was FC Porto who created the first dangerous opportunity, in the opening minute, but Antonio Adán would make a good save. Os Leões would have their first chance shortly thereafter, when João Palhinha and Jovane Cabral combined well and Matheus Nunes was unable to convert the one-on-one.

The goal was not long in coming, however. On 9 minutes, a poor clearance of a Pedro Porro cross allowed the ball to fall to Nuno Santos, who struck first time with his left foot to give goalkeeper Marchesín no chance and make it 1-0.

FC Porto would level through Uribe on 25 minutes, as the game sprung into life. Pedro Goncalves and Nuno Santos both enjoyed chances, with the former hitting the ball just wide of goal.

Despite Sporting CP's frequent attacks, it would be the visitors who pulled ahead in the last minute of regular time in the first half, with Corona taking the score to 1-2.

Controversy abounded in stoppage time, when Pedro Gonçalves was knocked down by Zaidu in the area and referee Luís Godinho awarded a penalty, showing a second yellow card to the FC Porto defender. However, after consulting VAR, he reversed the decision -to the dismay of Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim, who was sent off for his protests.

The pace of the game dropped in the second half, as did the number of chances on goal. Nuno Mendes and Pedro Gonçalves were the first to attempt an equaliser, but their shots were both off target. On the defensive side of things, Adán would safely save a free kick on 64 minutes.

Pedro Porro was inches away from levelling the score 15 minutes from time, shooting agonisingly close across the face of goal.

The Clássico saw a return to action for João Mário, who came on for Matheus Nunes to play his first game since coming back to Sporting CP in the summer transfer market.

Sporting CP were the only team to try to score again, and got their reward on 88 minutes. A ball found its way to Gonçalves, who in turn set up Andraž Šporar perfectly. The striker, who had come on in place of Porro, forced a save from Marchesín, but Luciano Vietto -another second half substitute - was on hand to convert the rebound.

With the score at 2-2, Vietto had a late header and João Mário a dangerous free kick in stoppage time, but in the end the points would be shared in Alvalade.

Sporting CP will visit CD Santa Clara on the next matchday of the Liga NOS season.

Sporting CP: António Adán [GK], Pedro Porro (Andraž Šporar, 77 '), Luís Neto (Gonzalo Plata, 62'), Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes (João Mário, 77 ') , Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos (Tiago Tomás, 62 ') and Jovane Cabral (Luciano Vietto, 56').

Sporting CP start the season with victory away to Paços de Ferreira

Sporting Clube de Portugal got their Liga NOS campaign off to a winning start on Sunday evening, beating FC Paços de Ferreira 0-2 away from home through goals from Jovane Cabral and Sebastián Coates. The match was the first for the team in league competition this season, after the postponement of the fixture against Gil Vicente FC.

The team came into the game off the back of a victory in Europe against Aberdeen on Thursday, and an unchanged lineup was named for the starting XI. Three minutes in, the goalscorer against the Scottish side nearly found the net again, as Nuno Mendes crossed in for him and he missed the target.

A Douglas Tanque's shot wide served as a warning for Sporting CP, who responded with an effort from Pedro Porro that required a save from the Paços de Ferreira goalkeeper. Zouhair Feddal and Tiago Tomás also enjoyed opportunities in the following minute, thwarted at the last by the home team's shot stopper.

The almost inevitable opening finally came in the 23rd minute, when the referee whistled for handball by Douglas Tanque and awarded Sporting CP a penalty. Jovane Cabral stepped up and struck it hard into the back of the net, making it 0-1.

Cabral would unfortunately be taken off injured on 31 minutes, replaced by the debuting Nuno Santos.

A Paços de Ferreira increase in risk-taking allowed them to advance further forward, but the best of the chances before the break was for Sporting CP: Tiago Tomás was played through by Luciano Vietto, but hit his subsequent shot wide.

Upon the restart things settled down, with a slowing of the pace and reduction in chances. It wasn't until the hour mark that Sporting CP enjoyed another clear opportunity, which was Pedro Porro's free kick that goalkeeper Jordi forced away.

The definitive second goal finally arrived on 63 minutes, as Nuno Mendes crossed into the area and Feddal headed towards the back post. There, Sebastián Coates appeared to tuck the ball into the net and take the score to 0-2.

The introduction of Daniel Bragança in place of Vietto after 65 minutes produced moments of magic, and additional substitutions late on gave Antunes his official debut for the club.

Sporting CP would take a comfortable victory in their season curtain raiser. Now the focus returns to the Europa League, and a game on Thursday against Austrian side LASK at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Pedro Porro (Antunes, 79'), Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, Nuno Mendes, Matheus Nunes, Wendel, Tiago Tomás (Andraž Šporar, 79'), Luciano Vietto (Daniel Bragança, 65') and Jovane Cabral (Nuno Santos, 31').

The Sporting CP assistant coach looks ahead to the game against Paços de Ferreira

Sporting CP start their Liga NOS campaign on Sunday, on what is Matchday 2 of the Portuguese league season. After their game against Gil Vicente FC last weekend was postponed, Os Leões' first official fixture came in midweek against Aberdeen in the UEFA Europa League, and now their focus turns to domestic competition.

With coach Rúben Amorim still unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols, assistant coach Emanuel Ferro spoke to the media to preview the meeting with FC Paços de Ferreira on Sunday (6:30pm local time).

"We have had two days in which to get ready for this game, as recovery after the Europa League game affects your preparation time. We are going to make some tactical adjustments against FC Paços de Ferreira that we haven't been able to work on quite as much as if we had more time between games, which means that the players have to understand the situation we are in", said Ferro.

"Recovery work is fundamental for us to perform well, and the tactical aspects have been worked on in the time we have had available."

The Sporting CP assistant added: "We are certain that we are going to field a competitive, recovered team on Sunday, capable of taking to the field with the intention of winning, as always. That's the competitive nature of our team and our players."

Ferro revealed that Nuno Santos will be part of the squad, and could make his full debut this weekend. "The reinforcements that we bring in are always players who we look for to help the team, with specific characteristics to their positions," he underlined.

"The game against Aberdeen went well and we won, which speaks well of the display from our players but -above all- our collective performance."

As for FC Paços de Ferreira, Ferro praised the club's next opponents but also stated he is convinced that Sporting CP will be able to claim the win.

"We will encounter difficulties very similar to what we found against FC Paços de Ferreira last season. They are a very solid team, who at times look to a more direct way of playing and mix that in with passing in the midfield. They have players with a lot of experience in our league. They are a team who know what they want, with well defined processes in place to do it. We believe that we will be able to overcome these difficulties that they provide."