The forward scores the only goal in a 0-1 victory

Sporting Clube de Portugal claimed a 0-1 away win at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota against GD Estoril Praia 0-1, on Liga Portugal Matchday 7. It marked their best run of results so far this season, with a fourth consecutive victory and a second in a row without conceding, as Luis Suárez struck an early winner.

They were up against an inconsistent GD Estoril Praia side, who had started the weekend in 13th place, with only one win and five points overall. Rui Borges' Sporting CP made three changes to the starting XI that had beaten Moreirense FC 3-0 the previous matchday: Rui Silva – returning from injury – regained the goalkeeping spot from João Virgínia. Hidemasa Morita was also in, replacing Giorgi Kochorashvili, and Maxi Araújo was chosen ahead of Ricardo Mangas. Geny Catamo returned to the squad on the bench.

Pre-match rain stopped in time for kickoff, and the opposition immediately showed they were going to press and seek to take the game to Sporting CP. However, the first dangerous opportunity fell to Os Leões, setting the tone for what was to come. Before the tenth minute, a corner kick into the box ended with a powerful shot from Morita, who came very close to scoring with a volley.

Sporting CP began to camp out in the Estoril box, and in the 12th minute they took the lead. With a superb long pass, captain Morten Hjulmand found Araújo on the left, and the Uruguayan, with a first-time effort, sent a low cross towards Luis Suárez. The Colombian finished off as goalkeeper Joel Robles remained rooted to the spot.

The goal was Suárez’ fifth in the league, and he has now scored in three consecutive matches.

Estoril Praia GD responded with two shots from outside the box by Jordan Holsgrove – one narrowly saved by Rui Silva and the other that flew into the side netting – but Sporting CP quickly tightened their grip and kept the ball in the opponent's half, firmly controlling the game.

The score could have been increased to 0-2 before the half-hour mark, but it wasn't to be. Suárez dived for a header that he was inches away from converting, and later Pedro Gonçalves tried to turn in a loose ball that he put off target.

Towards the end of the first half, Estoril tried to capitalise on a mistake by Sporting CP.  Thanks to Rui Silva's sharp reflexes, he denied striker Alejandro Marqués off a dangerous one-on-one situation. Shortly after, in another foray forward by the home team, full-back Pedro Amaral attempted a stunning strike that lacked precision.

For the second half, Giorgi Kochorashvili was immediately brought on to replace Morita.

Sporting CP once again dominated, patiently maintaining possession and applying effective pressure.

It was during a lull in play that Borges made another change, in the form of a triple substitution: Iván Fresneda, Geny Catamo -back a month after his last appearance- and Fotis Ioannidis were chosen to replace Vagiannidis, Quenda, and Suárez.

Shots wide by 'Pote' and Pedro Carvalho at either end were rare opportunities for the two teams during this period.

Sporting CP remained in complete control, but with the introduction of Alisson Santos – replacing Pedro Gonçalves – they gained a little more spark. The young Brazilian winger, with two impressive runs, put GD Estoril Praia on the back foot.

There were no more goals before the end, but for the fifth consecutive visit to Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, Sporting CP returned to Alvalade with all three points and no goals conceded.

Before their next league game at home to SC Braga, the team are in action on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League, when they travel to Italy to play SSC Napoli.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Georgios Vagiannidis (Iván Fresneda, 73’), Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (Giorgi Kochorashvili, 46’), Geovany Quenda (Geny Catamo, 73’), Pedro Gonçalves (Alisson Santos, 84’), Francisco Trincão and Luis Suárez (Fotis Ioannidis, 73’).