Coates and Sarabia goals earn 1-2 win against Casa Pia AC

Sporting Clube de Portugal triumphed 1-2 on Wednesday night away to Casa Pia AC, in the Fifth Round of the Taça de Portugal. Through goals scored by Sebastián Coates and Pablo Sarabia, the team secured a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Rúben Amorim returned to the place where he began his coaching career, and made several changes to the starting XI for the occasion: João Virgínia, João Palhinha, Daniel Bragança, Flávio Nazinho, Bruno Tabata and Ricardo Esgaio came into the side.

Casa Pia AC -who ply their trade in the second division- started well, and opened the scoring after eight minutes. Poloni crossed from the left and Jota Silva appeared for a well-placed header, to hand the home side the lead.

Sporting CP reacted with a series of attacks, and started to get closer and closer to an equaliser. João Palhinha headed over the top and Daniel Bragança forced an intervention from goalkeeper Lucas Paes. Finally, the goal arrived in the 32nd minute: A corner kick taken by Pedro Gonçalves was deflected by the defence to the far post, where Sebastián Coates converted.

Before halftime, two more moves could have brought Sporting CP a goal: In the 34th minute, Bruno Tabata went through, but Lucas Paes saved. In the 42nd minute, Daniel Bragança struck wide.

Amorim brought on Paulinho at the interval, taking off Flávio Nazinho, and his presence in the centre of the attack immediately made an impact, providing more space for Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Gonçalves.

João Palhinha had a dangerous chance early on and, shortly afterwards, Gonçalves sent a tame shot towards the goalkeeper. On 52 minutes, a shot against the post proved that Sporting CP were well on top of the game.

Five minutes later, a great shot from Sarabia hit the crossbar, with Gonçalves being denied shortly thereafter by a great save from Lucas Paes. However, referee Rui Costa, after consulting VAR, deemed that Sarabia's effort had crossed the line, awarding the goal as the score moved to 1-2.

Sporting CP continued to put pressure on, and efforts for Gonçalves, Paulinho and Bruno Tabata all came close.

Tabata was sent off in the 71st minute following an incident with Jota Silva, making the task more difficult for the visitors.

With 15 minutes to go, Nuno Santos, Matheus Nunes and Manuel Ugarte came on for Pedro Gonçalves, Daniel Bragança and João Palhinha, respectively, whilst Casa Pia AC pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Sporting CP would hold on to win 1-2, progressing to the quarter finals of the Taça de Portugal. They will next be in action in Liga Portugal, playing Portimonense SC on December 29th.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha (Manuel Ugarte, 75'), Daniel Bragança (Matheus Nunes, 75'), Flávio Nazinho (Paulinho, 45' '), Pablo Sarabia, Bruno Tabata and Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos, 75').

Gonçalves strikes twice in a 2-1 win over Varzim SC

A return to action after the international break saw Sporting Clube de Portugal edge past Varzim SC in the Taça de Portugal, with a 2-1 win taking them through to the Round of 16. A brace from Pedro Gonçalves included a late strike that put the team back in front, and earned a ninth consecutive victory for the side.

As is customary in the cup, coach Rúben Amorim changed six players from the starting XI against Paços de Ferreira: João Virgínia, Gonçalo Esteves, Zouhair Feddal, Daniel Bragança, Bruno Tabata and Jovane Cabral all began the match, with Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio and Sebastián Coates all out of the squad entirely, and João Palhinha,

Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Gonçalves on the bench. Rúben Vinagre, Manuel Ugarte and Tiago Tomás (with tonsillitis) were missing, with André Paulo and José Marsá included in the squad.

Varzim SC had already eliminated top flight side CS Marítimo in the competition, but were on the back foot against Sporting CP from the start. Width on the wings was the main weapon for the home team, as Varzim SC packed the midfield.

The visitors did, however, create a good opportunity on a quick transition, albeit safely defended by the back line. Sporting CP's first chance was in the 25th minute, when Tabata fired a shot from a distance that Ismael Lekbab had to keep out, before also needing to fly across to prevent a Bragança strike.

In a frantic finale to the first half, Jovane hit the crossbar with a direct free kick, with Matheus Reis missing the rebound. In a one-on-one, an inspired Lekbab got the better of Matheus Nunes; and Virgínia also caught a dangerous shot from Zé Ferreira to keep things 0-0 at half time.

Right at the start of the second half, after Tabata couldn't find a finish inside the area, Matheus Reis rushed in and shot straight at Lekbab.

On 57 minutes, Jovane would go off injured, with Pedro Gonçalves on  to replace him. It was he who finally broke the deadlock, ten minutes after his introduction: In the right place at the right time, he chased a loose ball in the six yard box and made it 1-0 with a poke across the line.

However, in the 77th minute, a Varzim SC side who had not yet caused danger in the second half won a penalty and Heliardo levelled.

Os Leões looked for the advantage again, and pushed the visiting team further and further back. With less than five minutes remaining, Porro was brought down in the area, and this time around it was Gonçalves who elected to take the spot kick. He stood firm, and converted to seal a 2-1 win.

The team will be in action at the Estádio José Alvalade again next Wednesday, November 24th (8pm), in an important UEFA Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GR], Gonçalo Esteves (Pedro Porro 67'), Ricardo Esgaio, Zouhair Feddal, Matheus Reis, Nuno Santos (Luís Neto 89'), Daniel Bragança [C], Matheus Nunes, Bruno Tabata (Pablo Sarabia 67'), Jovane Cabral (Pedro Gonçalves 57') and Paulinho.

A 0-4 win over CF “Os Belenenses” earns progress to the Fourth Round

Sporting Clube de Portugal earned a place in the Fourth Round of the Taça de Portugal with a 0-4 win against CF “Os Belenenses” on Friday night.

It was Os Leões' return to Estádio do Restelo after three years away, playing the team who currently ply their trade in the Campeonato de Portugal. Rúben Amorim gave full debuts to João Virgínia and Gonçalo Esteves, a first start to Ugarte, and welcomed back Pedro Gonçalves after a month and a half out through injury.

Beginning their quest for an 18th Taça de Portugal, Sporting CP needed just one chance to open their account in front of goal. A slick move begun by Gonçalo Inácio at the back saw Vinagre break through, crossing low into the box for Tiago Tomás to convert to make it 0-1.

Spurred on by the early goal, they continued to go forward and enjoyed another opportunity when Vinagre picked out Jovane Cabral, whose shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Feddal headed an effort over, and Gonçalves was unsuccessful from close range.

The first half was one-way traffic, and just before the interval Tomás and Inácio were both denied by opposition stopper Marcelo Valverde.

CF “Os Belenenses” had a resurgence in the initial minutes of the second half, but there was soon a return to the script of the first period. Gonçalves struck wide from a free kick, and Gonçalo Esteves had a powerful shot tipped out for a corner.

Coach Amorim brought on Pedro Porro and Nuno Santos for Esteves and Gonçalves in his first changes, just before Sporting CP extended their lead: A corner kick from the left was knocked on by Feddal for Tomás to dive at the ball to convert.

Just ten minutes after coming on, Porro would be stretchered off following a heavy challenge. He was replaced by Matheus Nunes, whilst Feddal made way for Matheus Reis.

A pair of penalties confirmed the victory for Sporting CP, as first Jovane Cabral and then Nuno Santos converted from the spot.

A footnote for a 0-4 win was provided with the debut of João Goulart, as Sporting CP finished the game with six academy products on the pitch.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Ricardo Esgaio, Gonçalo Inácio (João Goulart, 83'), Zouhair Feddal (Matheus Reis, 75'), Gonçalo Esteves (Pedro Porro, 63' and Matheus Nunes, 75'), Manuel Ugarte , Daniel Bragança [C], Rúben Vinagre, Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos, 63'), Jovane Cabral and Tiago Tomás.

Os Leões will play at the Estádio do Restelo in the Third Round

Sporting Clube de Portugal will take on CF “Os Belenenses” in the Third Round of the Taça de Portugal.

The draw took place at the Federação Portuguesa de Futebol headquarters on Wednesday, at the Cidade do Futebol.

The match, against the side currently third in Série E of the Campeonato de Portugal, will be held on the weekend of October 16th-17th, at the Estádio do Restelo.

Eighteen Primeira Liga clubs enter the competition in the Third Round.