The captain strikes twice in the final moments of a 1-2 win

Sporting Clube de Portugal picked up their latest Liga NOS win this Tuesday away to Gil Vicente FC, but they left it late to take the 3 points. Down 1-0 going into the final 10 minutes, Os Leões required two last gasp goals from captain Sebastián Coates to make a dramatic turnaround.

The starting lineup for the game was almost unchanged from the fixture against CS Maritimo, with the only switch being that of Luís Neto coming in for Gonçalo Inácio.

Sporting CP were the first side to create danger on a rainy night at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos. A direct free kick by Pedro Porro, plus attempts to finish by Paulinho and Coates, were all unsuccessful.

Shortly after, Paulinho shot wide, followed up by Matheus Nunes putting Gil Vicente goalkeeper Denis to the test with a hard strike from a Vitorino Antunes free kick. Antunes would be involved at the other end, keeping out a close chance for the home team.

Whilst Nuno Santos gave the opposition something to think about, Sporting CP shot stopper Antonio Adán was required to make a tremendous save from Kanya. The subsequent rebound would be sliced wide by Baraye.

Opportunities continued with a near-own goal for Henrique Gomes, as well as a Coates header straight at the keeper, and Pedro Porro struck wide of the post on 34 minutes. All signs pointed to Sporting CP being the team to get the opener, but the script played out somewhat differently.

Gil Vicente FC were effective going forward, and Japanese player Kanya finished off a cross from Claude Gonçalves on 36 minutes. The first half ended 1-0, and soaking wet after the rain in Barcelos intensified.

Rúben Amorim made two changes for the second half, introducing Gonçalo Inácio to replace Luís Neto and Tiago Tomás for Antunes. Nuno Santos moved back to the left side of the defence and Pedro Gonçalves went into attack, with Tiago Tomás on the right side. Amorim made another modification, withdrawing Matheus Nunes for Daniel Bragança.

The young midfielder had an impact soon after, recovering the ball and playing to Porro, who in turn crossed for Pedro Gonçalves to shoot wide. Gonçalves threatened again in the 57th minute, this time firing over, and Tomás also had an effort go off target.

Gil Vicente FC put everybody behind the ball, but still the Sporting CP opportunities continued: Paulinho's header in the 62nd minute and one for Coates in the 68th minute kept up the pressure.

Amorim decided to make a last roll of the dice with his substitutions, and Zouhair Feddal and João Palhinha were withdrawn for Matheus Reis (making his debut) and João Mário with around a quarter of an hour to go.

Tomás and Paulinho were all close to equalisers, but Sporting CP would have to wait until the 83rd minute to level:  After a poor clearance from the defence, Sebastián Coates shot from straight on, finding the net with a low drive to make it 1-1.

Momentum was now in their favour, and in the first of 5 minutes of injury time, Coates completed the heroic comeback. This time, it was a far-post header that glanced into the net, as the bench emptied and the players celebrated ecstatically.

A well-deserved 1-2 win keeps Sporting CP top of Liga NOS, and they now have an 8-point advantage over nearest rivals FC Porto. Next up is a meeting with FC Paços de Ferreira at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Pedro Porro, Luís Neto (Gonçalo Inácio, 46 '), Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Matheus Reis, 74'), Vitorino Antunes (Tiago Tomás, 46 '), João Palhinha (João Mário, 74 '), Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 54'), Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos and Paulinho.