A late pair of goals prevent a win for Os Leões

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 2-2 at home against CD Tondela in a rescheduled Liga Portugal Matchday 26 game. Two late goals from the visitors meant they claimed only a point from the encounter.

Rui Borges made some changes to his starting lineup for the game, replacing Ousmane Diomande, Ricardo Mangas, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Francisco Trincão, and Rafael Nel with Eduardo Quaresma, Maxi Araújo, Daniel Bragança, Geny Catamo, and Luis Suárez.

After a dangerous attack for each side in the first two minutes, Sporting CP didn't take long to assume control. Geovany Quenda had a chance in the 2nd minute, when he shot just wide, but the move was ruled offside in any case.

Shortly after, Catamo also struck wide, and Os Leões began to apply considerable pressure, preventing CD Tondela from playing out from the back and recovering several balls in the attacking area of the midfield. Zeno Debast played a brilliant long pass to Catamo, who tried to set up Pedro Gonçalves -the Portuguese international missing by centimetres.

On 21 minutes, a quick, collective transition by Sporting CP culminated in Quenda's pass to Araújo, whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Bernardo Fontes. Shortly after, Suárez appeared in a dangerous area, but couldn’t get his shot off.

The game continued practically one-sided. Shortly after the half-hour mark, Catamo found Suárez, who tried for goal, but Bernardo Fontes blocked him once more. The Colombian striker tried again immediately afterwards, but this time, with his weaker foot, he missed the target.

Before halftime, Bragança, with a half-volley, shot straight at the opposition goalkeeper.

At the start of the second half, CD Tondela were the more aggressive team, and had efforts from Rony Lopes and Tiago Manso go wide. Sporting CP continued to dominate in terms of possession, setting themselves up in the attacking half and regularly approaching goal, albeit lacking decisiveness.

The visitors sought to exploit counterattacks, as happened in the 54th minute through a Pedro Maranhão shot that was poorly finished.

The first sign of danger from Sporting CP in the second half came in the 56th minute, with Gonçalves taking advantage of a sliced clearance by the defence to shoot first-time, forcing a good save from Bernardo Fontes for a corner.

Subsequently, Francisco Trincão and Salvador Blopa replaced Geovany Quenda and Georgios Vagiannidis.

Sporting CP had a clear chance to open the scoring with an Araújo break down the left, as he played the ball in to Catamo at the far post. The Mozambique international, unfortunately, shot over the bar.

The opening goal finally arrived in the 62nd minute: A good cross from Blopa on the right was met by Suárez, who got ahead of his marker and finished with class for his 34^th goal of the season.

Buoyed by this, Sporting CP continued trying to score. From distance and with power, Blopa struck wide, and Gonçalves also lacked accuracy with his attempt. The number 8 would be substituted in the 74th minute to make way for Luís Guilherme.

From a free kick, CD Tondela’s Makan Aïko tried to threaten, but without success, and the game, despite the minimal advantage and low intensity, seemed to be under Sporting CP's control.

A second goal arrived in the 78th minute, with possession recovered in attack, a linkup and a Catamo shot. In an attempt to clear, defender João Silva sent the ball into his own net, to make it 2-0.

With the game nearing its end, Nuno Santos and Giorgi Kochorashvili came on for Catamo and Bragança.

CD Tondela stepped up in the final stages. Tiago Manso threatened in the 89th minute, and referee Fábio Veríssimo awarded a penalty in the 90th. Makan Aïko took the spot kick, but Rui Silva made a superb save.

However, from the ensuing corner, Salvador Blopa turned the ball into his own net. Shortly after, from another corner kick, Cícero Alves headed in another goal, making it 2-2 and denying Sporting CP the three points.

Os Leões play again on Monday, May 4th, hosting Vitória SC at 8:15pm.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Georgios Vagiannidis (Salvador Blopa, 56'), Eduardo Quaresma, Zeno Debast, Maxi Araújo, Hidemasa Morita, Daniel Bragança [C] (Giorgi Kochorashvili, 85'), Geny Catamo (Nuno Santos, 85'), Pedro Gonçalves (Luís Guilherme, 74'), Geovany Quenda (Francisco Trincão, 56') and Luis Suárez.