The team play in front of fans for the first time this summer

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 0-2 to Celtic FC in their first game in front of supporters in the 2025/26 preseason. Despite the defeat, there were good points to be taken from the summer fixture against the Scottish side.

The squad had played in the morning against Portimonense SC, and Rui Borges opted for a different starting eleven made up of goalkeeper Rui Silva; defenders Iván Fresneda, Jeremiah St. Juste, Eduardo Quaresma and Matheus Reis; midfielders Morten Hjulmand, João Simões and Pedro Gonçalves; and Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão and Rodrigo Ribeiro in the attack.

As expected at this stage of the summer, the match – played on a very hot afternoon – started at a somewhat slow pace, although the Scottish champions forced Rui Silva to make a good save in the ninth minute.

In the 14th minute, it was Matheus Reis who tested Kasper Schmeichel -son of the legendary goalkeeper who, in 1999/2000, won the league with Sporting CP. The Brazilian fullback appeared at the far post, in a great position to respond to Pedro Gonçalves's setup, but didn't connect with the ball well, shooting wide.

It was also from the right side that, four minutes later, Iván Fresneda and Francisco Trincão opened a path for João Simões' shot from the edge of the box, which was again saved. Following that, Rodrigo Ribeiro aimed for goal again, forcing another stop.

Midway through the first period, Celtic's Adam Idah had a clear opportunity to break the deadlock. Unmarked, the Irish centre forward took a weak shot, met with an easy save by Rui Silva.

Geny Catamo cut inside and, with his right foot, sent an effort towards Schmeichel, then Rui Silva who responded solidly to a Benjamin Nygren shot from inside the six yard box.

The best move of the first half was saved for the 38th minute: João Simões, teed up by Geny Catamo, got into the area, shot and came very close to opening the scoring -his strike going wide of the far post.

Three minutes before halftime, it was Rui Silva who was once again in the spotlight, denying Daizen Maeda with an excellent save.

The game went into the break with a Catamo shot over the crossbar, leaving the scoreline unchanged.

Rui Borges made just two changes at the start of the second half, with Franco Israel and Conrad Harder coming on for Rui Silva and Rodrigo Ribeiro. The Uruguayan barely had time to settle in before Celtic FC were given a penalty, after a foul by Jeremiah St. Juste. Franco Israel guessed the right way and even got a fingertip to the ball, but was unable to prevent Reo Hatate from scoring.

The game slowed down, only interrupted by a dazzling run from Conrad Harder, who appeared at speed on the left and shot hard against the right post.

Just before the hour, Giorgi Kochorashvili came in to replace Morten Hjulmand. The Georgian showed a good understanding with his teammates and also displayed several quality touches. In the 63rd minute, he passed the ball deep to Pedro Gonçalves who, with his left foot, curved an effort wide of the target.

In the 71st minute, Celtic FC extended their lead through Luke McCowan, who received the ball, slipped away and struck into the back of the net.

Alisson Santos replaced Pedro Gonçalves, to make his first appearance in front of fans. Later, Bruno Ramos, David Moreira and Rayan Lucas were all introduced to refresh the team, but the score would remain the same. That was despite Conrad Harder's attempt, in which a powerful shot went over the bar in stoppage time.

Sporting CP fans can see the team in action again on July 21st, at Estádio Algarve, against English side Sunderland AFC.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK] (Franco Israel, 46’), Matheus Reis (Bruno Ramos, 86’), Jeremiah St. Juste (David Moreira, 86’), Pedro Gonçalves (Alisson Santos, 73’), Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Iván Fresneda, Morten Hjulmand [C] (Giorgi Kochorashvili, 58’), João Simões (Rayan Lucas, 86’), Eduardo Quaresma and Rodrigo Ribeiro (Conrad Harder, 46’).