A late goal denies the team a point against SL Benfica

Sporting CP lost 1-2 to SL Benfica on Matchday 30 of the Liga Portugal season, conceding in stoppage time when on course for a share of the points. Hidemasa Morita scored the goal for Os Leões.

Up against an SL Benfica still unbeaten in the league, coach Rui Borges opted for exactly the same starting XI he had fielded in midweek against Arsenal in the Champions League: Rui Silva started in goal; Eduardo Quaresma, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio and Maxi Araújo in defence, Morten Hjulmand and Hidemasa Morita in midfield; and with Geny Catamo, Pedro Gonçalves, Francisco Trincão and Luis Suárez occupying the final third.

Trincão and Daniel Bragança were both honoured on the pitch before the game for reaching milestones of 200 and 150 games, respectively, for Sporting CP.

The contest began with Sporting CP dominating possession, and in the first five minutes they already had three opportunities to score: Two shots from Geny Catamo, including one saved by Anatoliy Trubin that bounced off the post twice, and Pedro Gonçalves striking into the side netting on the rebound.

SL Benfica’s response was also quick and came from a corner, but Rui Silva flew across to keep out Nicolás Otamendi’s header. From another corner, after a poorly distributed clearance by Trubin, 'Pote' came close to taking advantage, but hit his effort wide.

A great chance to take the lead went Sporting CP’s way on the quarter-hour, when Trincão was fouled in the area and a penalty was awarded. However, Luis Suárez's spot kick was saved by Trubin.

SL Benfica were the more effective from 12 yards, as when they were given a penalty of their own in the 27th minute  for a handball by Morita, Andreas Schjelderup shot hard down the middle to make it 0-1.

Sporting CP tried to react immediately, but repeatedly ran into Benfica's numerous defensive players, and had their play broken up by the numerous stoppages that the derby experienced until halftime.

Just before the interval, Benfica had a counterattack through a solo run by Franjo Ivanović, which Inácio dealt with masterfully.

Right at the start of the second half, Gonçalves cut inside from the left and hit the post with a low shot. Later, Catamo shot wide and 'Pote', once again in a good position, also put an effort off target.

However, with Sporting CP chasing an equaliser with more risk-taking, the game became more dangerous for SL Benfica's transitions, and two of them, both finished by Schjelderup, sent serious warnings. Rui Silva made a save from the first, while the second went just wide.

At the other end, a cross-shot from Morita saw Sporting CP come close.

Georgios Vagiannidis and Zeno Debast came on for Quaresma and Diomande, followed by the introduction of Geovany Quenda.

Rushing down the right, minutes later, Debast crossed perfectly for Morita to head into the back of the net, with Trubin rooted to the spot. Sporting CP were back level at 1-1.

The goal was followed immediately by a similar attack, but this time the Ukrainian goalkeeper blocked a long-range shot from Geny.

SL Benfica freshened things up with four substitutions at once, and managed to curb Sporting CP's momentum and possession more. Furthermore, Leandro Barreiro had a chance that he put over when unmarked at the far post.

Rui Borges responded by bringing on Bragança and Rafael Nel, replacing Morita and Geny for a final push in the derby and the title race.

Unfortunately, Sporting CP experienced two twists in the tale late on. Bragança tried his luck from outside the area and the ball whistled wide, then Rafael Nel broke free, feinted past Trubin and found the net, but was slightly offside. After the disallowed goal, Rafa entered the Sporting CP area and finished past Rui Silva, closing the score out at 1-2.

Sporting CP tried everything in search of an equaliser, but Inácio had his promising chance blocked and Trincão's final curling effort missed the target.

With the 1-2 defeat, Sporting CP drop to third in the Liga Portugal table, overtaken by SL Benfica.

Now the team shift their focus to the Taça de Portugal semi-final. Holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at Alvalade (1-0), Sporting CP go to the Estádio do Dragão on Wednesday for the rematch against FC Porto.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Eduardo Quaresma (Georgios Vagiannidis, 60’), Ousmane Diomande (Zeno Debast, 60’), Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (Daniel Bragança, 88’), Geny Catamo (Rafael Nel, 88’), Pedro Gonçalves (Geovany Quenda, 68’), Francisco Trincão, Luis Suárez.