The team best FC Alverca 5-1 to advance in the competition

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated FC Alverca 5-1 in the quarter final of the Taça da Liga, securing their place in the Final Four in January.

The team took to the field just 48 hours after their 0-3 away win against CD Tondela, leading to Rui Borges fielding a completely revamped team that included five debutants. Geovany Quenda and newcomer Salvador Blopa scored twice each, and Fotis Ioannidis added the fifth with a beautiful long range shot.

João Virgínia, Georgios Vagiannidis, Eduardo Quaresma, Matheus Reis, Ricardo Mangas, Hidemasa Morita, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Blopa, Alisson Santos, Quenda and Ioannidis made up the starting XI.

Sporting CP started out dominating possession, although they were patient in circulating the ball and initially lacked a little attacking flair, only attempting to create chances from runs down the wings. However, they needed only one opportunity, in the 21st minute, to score and change the game. A long pass from Matheus Reis found Vagiannidis, and the Greek fullback headed the ball on for Quenda. With only the goalkeeper to beat, he kept his cool and made it 1-0.

A 2-0 lead was quickly established by Blopa, as the 18-year-old was fed through by Ioannidis, then took a defender out of the equation and finished off.

Ricardo Mangas was denied by goalkeeper Matheus Mendes towards the end of the first half, which concluded with a healthy lead for Sporting CP.

In the second half, the approach by both teams remained the same, with Sporting CP taking the initiative. They were 3-0 up before the hour, as a well-executed quick attack ended at Quenda's feet, and the No. 7 cut inside and hit a shot low into the back of the net.

Borges brought on another debutant, the creative Flávio Gonçalves, who has been shining in the B team and the UEFA Youth League this term.

Even playing at a slower pace, the chances arrived steadily. A header from Ioannidis saved by Matheus Mendes, then the goal to make it 4-0 came: Off a pass from Flávio Gonçalves, Blopa found space to unleash a shot inside the back post and score his second goal of the night.

Rodrigo Ribeiro, Rayan Lucas and Chris Grombahi came on -the latter two making their official debuts – and the scoring was subsequently rounded off: From outside the area, Ioannidis didn't hesitate to take a shot with his left foot. His arcing strike flew in to increase the scoreline to 5-0.

Before the final whistle, defender João Muniz also came on to make his first appearance.

FC Alverca scored a consolation goal off a quick counterattack by Sandro Lima, but the game ended with a comprehensive win for Sporting CP. A game played in December between FC Porto and Vitória SC will decide their opponents in January’s Final Four.

Sporting CP's next game is another meeting with FC Alverca at home, this time in Liga Portugal. It takes place on Friday night at 8:15pm.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Georgios Vagiannidis, Eduardo Quaresma (João Muniz, 84’), Matheus Reis [C], Ricardo Mangas, Hidemasa Morita (Rayan Lucas, 77’), Giorgi Kochorashvili, Salvador Blopa (Chris Grombahi, 77’), Alisson Santos (Rodrigo Ribeiro, 77’), Geovany Quenda (Flávio Gonçalves, 62’), Fotis Ioannidis.