Sporting CP win 7-0 to conclude their stay in the Algarve

Sporting CP beat RC Strasbourg 7-0 in a Monday night friendly that concluded their training camp in the Algarve.

After beating Portimonense SC 1-0 in the morning, the team put in an excellent showing against the side who finished eighth in Ligue 1 and were semi-finalists in the UEFA Conference League in 2025/26.

New signings Issa Doumbia and Sergi Altimira scored in the first half, and Silas Andersen found the net in the second. Newcomer Rodrigo Zalazar, Maxi Araújo, Geny Catamo, and Fotis Ioannidis also added to the tally.

Sporting CP coach Rui Borges fielded a similar starting XI to the side that beat Celtic FC, but made one change in each position: Geogios Vagiannidis, Silas Andersen, and Rafael Nel began the game in place of Souleymane Faye, Pedro Gonçalves and Gabriel Silva.

Os Leões took the lead after just four minutes, thanks to a beautiful goal from Issa Doumbia. He started the move, releasing Ricardo Mangas down the wing, and then entered the area to receive the return pass, turning on his marker and shooting powerfully to score.

Added to this early goal was great ball possession and control of the  tempo. There was also a solid chance, as Flávio Gonçalves worked the ball towards the edge of the area and forced goalkeeper Milosz Piekutowski to make a save for a corner.

RC Strasbourg's reaction saw them create opportunities near João Virgínia's goal, and the goalkeeper had to show quick reflexes following a set piece. Soon after, striker Miloš Luković appeared in the area to shoot slightly wide, and Sébastian Nanasi, after the hydration break, almost caused problems, cut out by Eduardo Felicíssimo's interception.

Just past the half-hour mark, the team regrouped and reached a 2-0 lead. Geny Catamo and Sergi Altimira had attacks in the area that came to nothing, whilst Doumbia hit the post and Flávio Gonçalves tested Piekutowski from close-range, before Altimira had another chance and converted a low, well-placed shot.

Sporting CP could even have scored again before the break, but a perfect tackle by Rabby Nzingoula denied Doumbia off a pinpoint pass over the defence by Flávio Gonçalves.

Six minutes were all it took to extend the lead off the restart, and again the goal through one of the reinforcements for 2026/27. Flávio Gonçalves took a free kick from the side into the area, and midfielder Silas Andersen rose above everyone else to head the ball in.

The substitutions began early with the introduction of Jesse Derry, the return of Maxi Araújo after the World Cup, and the first minutes for Rodrigo Zalazar. The latter had an immediate impact, with a run down the right that ended with him being fouled for a penalty -which he himself converted to make it 4-0.

This renewed energy continued to bear fruit. Fotis Ioannidis moved into the striker position, and Maxi Araújo scored in the 70th minute. The Uruguayan appeared to tuck away the rebound after Piekutowski had saved from Zalazar.

Further goals came from Geny Catamo, with a powerful shot after cutting in from the right, and Ioannidis -who sealed the victory with a precise conversion of a low cross from Maxi Araújo.

The squad now return home to continue their training, and on Saturday the Estádio José Alvalade will host the presentation game against AS Monaco in the Trofeu Cinco Violinos. On July 31st, they return to the Estádio do Algarve to face English side Nottingham Forest.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Georgios Vagiannidis (Souleymane Faye, 82’), Eduardo Quaresma [C], Eduardo Felicíssimo, Ricardo Mangas (Jesse Derry, 61’), Sergi Altimira, Silas Andersen (Rodrigo Zalazar, 61’), Issa Doumbia, Flávio Gonçalves (Maxi Araújo, 61’), Geny Catamo (Chris Grombahi, 82’), Rafael Nel (Fotis Ioannidis, 67’).