Sporting CP win 1-2 against Portimonense SC

In their last Liga Portugal game of 2023, Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Portimonense SC 1-2 on Matchday 15, closing the year as outright leaders. Viktor Gyökeres and Paulinho were the team's two goalscorers.

Sporting CP came into the game off defeats in their last two away games, and were up against a Portimonense SC who, in their last three home matches in the league, had beaten GD Estoril Praia (1-0) and GD Chaves (2-1) and drew with FC Famalicão (1-1).

Coach Rúben Amorim made six changes - two forced due to an accumulation of yellow cards for Gonçalo Inácio and Morten Hjulmand - to the side that played away at CD Tondela (in the Taça da Liga. Antonio Adán, Ousmane Diomande, Geny Catamo, Hidemasa Morita, Marcus Edwards and Viktor Gyökeres returned to the starting XI, joining Luís Neto, Matheus Reis, Nuno Santos, Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho.

Furthermore, due to the absence of the injured Sebastián Coates, Jeremiah St. Juste and Iván Fresneda, youngsters Chico Lamba, Afonso Moreira and Diogo Travassos were included in the squad.

Sporting CP's desire to take the initiative with the ball became clear, while Portimonense SC closed their lines and played compactly in the middle.

Dominating possession, Os Leões only lacked creativity and finishing to transform the first approaches into the opposition area into goals. In turn, the first time that Paulo Sérgio's team managed to go on the attack, Adán was forced to come out to clear a dangerous cross, with the shot on the rebound going over. After half an hour, Carlinhos hit a free-kick that the Spanish goalkeeper saved.

With nine corner kicks and many cross attempts, Sporting CP were attacking from the wings and pushing Portimonense SC into their own area. A snap delivery in from Nuno Santos went across the face of goal and Edwards even tried an overhead kick after a scramble in the box, but his effort went slightly over the top and the first half ended goalless.

The coach made changes at halftime to combat a solid defence, introducing Eduardo Quaresma to replace Luís Neto. Equally dominant in possession, but now more incisive, Sporting CP had two opportunities that immediately presented their declaration of intentions.

Morita, first of all, threatened with a shot inside the area, then Paulinho rose above the defence but headed straight at Vinícius. Shortly afterwards, the striker Leonino also failed to finish off an Edwards run into the box.

The insistence and improvements would be rewarded thanks to Gyökeres, who reached a perfect cross from Pedro Gonçalves to open the scoring.

Os Leões continued to keep their foot on the accelerator and only failed to make it 0-2 because of a goalline clearance from a defender to deny Paulinho with goalkeeper Vinícius beaten.

Despite their clear superiority, the advantage only lasted for around ten minutes. Taking advantage of a set piece, Portimonense SC restored parity completely against the run of play, thanks to a well-aimed header from central defender Filipe Relvas.

Sporting CP reacted in a determined manner. Daniel Bragança came on for ‘Pote’ and Morita, from the edge of the area, immediately forced the goalkeeper into a save. Afterwards, Paulo Sérgio's team even had a very favourable counterattack, but Quaresma was quick to resolve the situation with a last-minute tackle on Hélio Varela.

Once the scare was over, at the start of the final ten minutes Morita crossed low into the area and Paulinho - who was once again decisive - made the deflection, backheeling into the net.

Now 1-2 up, Adán made a decisive smother of a one-on-one with the speedy Hélio Varela when there were five minutes left, and a series of fouls and yellow cards upped the intensity further.

Amorim brought on Ricardo Esgaio for his 150th game for the club, as well as Francisco Trincão, and Paulinho had the final opportunity for Sporting CP, missing a one-one-one after a great move by Gyökeres.

With this victory, Sporting CP closed 2023 in the best possible way, with 37 points, one ahead of SL Benfica and three clear of FC Porto. To start 2024, they play GD Estoril Praia at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Geny Catamo (Ricardo Esgaio, 83’), Luís Neto [C] (Eduardo Quaresma, 46’), Ousmane Diomande, Matheus Reis, Nuno Santos, Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves (Daniel Bragança, 75’), Marcus Edwards (Francisco Trincão, 90+1’), Paulinho e Viktor Gyökeres.