The team best FC Porto 1-0 in the first leg

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated FC Porto 1-0 in the first leg of the Taça de Portugal semi-finals, thanks to a penalty converted by Luis Suárez in the second half.

A sellout crowd of almost 50,000 spectators at the Estádio José Alvalade saw Rui Borges’ side take the win, fielding the same starting XI that had  begun the victory over GD Estoril Praia.

In the first minute, FC Porto’s William Gomes threatened with a dangerous cross that went out of play. The visitors started with a high defensive line and strong pressure, but Sporting CP, as soon as they settled into the game, began to dominate.

In the 12th minute, after a pass from Hidemasa Morita, Francisco Trincão shot from a central position, but the ball hit Luis Suárez. Sporting CP created their first opportunity on goal in the 16th minute: On the transition, Geny Catamo set up Iván Fresneda, who cut in from the right and struck with his weaker foot just wide of the post.

Sporting CP had another look in the 20th minute when Luís Guilherme took a corner from the left, finding Geny Catamo. He shot first-time, but sent the ball over the bar.

The momentum was interrupted several times by frequent stoppages, many of them due to FC Porto players going down. That resulted in an unusual ten minutes of added time in the first half.

Before the break, there were notable shots from Pepê and William Gomes, with both deflected out for corners.

The second half got underway with a very dangerous cross from Geny Catamo to Luís Guilherme at the far post, and the subsequent clearance resulted in a corner. From the next move, the Mozambique international shot, but Diogo Costa made the save. In response, Alan Varela tried his luck from long range and hit the post for FC Porto.

Ousmane Diomande, with a header, forced Diogo Costa to intervene again. At the other end, shortly after, Rodrigo Mora missed the target.

Sporting CP caused panic in the opposition defence in the 58th minute: A free-kick from Trincão on the left ended up with Catamo, who returned it to the middle of the area hoping to find a teammate, before it was cleared.

The deadlock was broken from the penalty spot: Iván Fresneda hit the post, Morten Hjulmand was brought down and referee Cláudio Pereira awarded the foul. Suárez sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, making it 1-0 and reaching 30 goals for Sporting CP.

Borges made his first substitution in the 65th minute, bringing on João Simões and Pedro Gonçalves for Morita and Guilherme.

FC Porto again tried to create danger from distance, but Seko Fofana's shot went wide.

Working on the counter-attack, Sporting CP threatened in the 74th minute through Trincão, and in the 79th minute through Catamo, while FC Porto never got close.

Suárez had a chance to double the lead in stoppage time, although the Colombian didn't connect well enough with the ball and the score remained 1-0.

Sporting CP will now travel to SC Braga home ground on Saturday in Liga Portugal. The second leg of the Taça de Portugal semi-finals takes place in April.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Freseda, Ousmane Diomane, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (João Simões, 65'), Geny Catamo (Daniel Bragança, 84'), Francisco Trincão (Nuno Santos, 84'), Luís Guilherme (Pedro Gonçalves, 65') and Luis Suárez.