The team lose 1-2 in extra time to SCU Torreense

In the Taça de Portugal final that closed the 2025/26 season, Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 1-2 to SCU Torreense after extra time. Pedro Gonçalves was the scorer of the goal for his side.

Sporting CP fielded the same starting XI that had faced Gil Vicente FC on the last matchday of the Liga Portugal season, for a game that saw the majority of the fans in the stadium supporting them.

SCU Torreense opened the scoring in the fourth minute. A corner from the left was met by a header from Leo Silva at the near post, before being nodded in by Kévin Zohi at the far stick.

Having gone behind so early on, Sporting CP went on the attack. They could have equalised in the 11th minute when Pedro Gonçalves was released down the left. His ball in reached Luis Suárez, whose backheeled shot missed the target.

Shortly after, Lucas Paes was forced to parry a shot from Gonçalves out for a corner. In response, SCU Torreense’s Costinha shot from long distance with an effort that flew wide.

Francisco Trincão put the goalkeeper to the test again, and there was a subsequent chance in the 20th minute, when a ball recovered high up the pitch allowed Hidemasa Morita to find Gonçalves with a magic touch. The attacker shot over the crossbar at the conclusion of the move.

After the half-hour mark, Sporting CP came even closer to an equaliser, again through Gonçalves: Served a beautiful long pass from Gonçalo Inácio, the no.8 slinked in and drove the ball against the post.

A free-kick from Gonçalves that went close and a shot from Luis Suárez that was well saved by Lucas Paes concluded the first half, with Sporting CP 1-0 down.

For the restart, Sporting CP stepped up a gear, and swiftly made it 1-1. Maxi Araújo's pressure forced an opposition player into a mistake, and the ball went into the middle of the area, where Luis Suárez finished with great quality for his 38th for the club.

The turnaround could have been completed moments later, but Morten Hjulmand couldn’t connect cleanly on target from a corner kick. In the 63rd minute, Geny Catamo had the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

After a dangerous free kick taken by Trincão into the hands of Lucas Paes, Rui Borges substituted Georgios Vagiannidis and Hidemasa Morita for Ousmane Diomande and Luís Guilherme, with just over 20 minutes left in regulation time.

The final dipped in intensity as the afternoon drew to a close, which was evident in the clear lack of goal-scoring opportunities in the latter phase. In one of the rare attacks, Gonçalo Inácio put Luis Suárez in, with the striker smashing wide.

Sporting CP pressed SCU Torreense harder in the final minutes. In the 86th minute, Hjulmand shot powerfully from distance, forcing a good save from Lucas Paes, and, in stoppage time -after Daniel Bragança and Geovany Quenda replaced Pedro Gonçalves and Geny Catamo-, Gonçalo Inácio almost headed the ball in from a corner kick.

The 1-1 scoreline remained firm, and the match went to extra time.

The first ten minutes brought nothing new, with the only noteworthy moment being a disallowed goal for SCU Torreense, ruled out for offside.

Rafael Nel replaced Eduardo Quaresma in the 100th minute, and Sporting CP then had two opportunities before halftime. In the first, Luis Suárez missed his attempt, and the ball fell to Trincão, whose touch was saved by Lucas Paes. The goalkeeper intervened again in stoppage time to deny Luis Suárez.

In the second half of extra time, SCU Torreense won a penalty which, to worsen Sporting CP's situation, also resulted in a red card for Maxi Araújo.

Stopira converted the penalty to make it 1-2 to SCU Torreense.

In response, Rui Borges replaced Gonçalo Inácio with Souleymane Faye.

Right until the end, Sporting CP still threatened -with a header from Ousmane Diomande and shots from Francisco Trincão and Luís Guilherme- but were denied the cup in an upset of a result.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GR], Georgios Vagiannidis (Ousmane Diomande, 69'), Eduardo Quaresma (Rafael Nel, 100'), Gonçalo Inácio (Souleymane Faye, 114'), Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (Luís Guilherme, 69'), Geny Catamo (Geovany Quenda, 90+2'), Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves (Daniel Bragança, 90+2') and Luis Suárez.

The club captain talks to the media

Morten Hjulmand spoke in the pre-match press conference for the Taça de Portugal, and explained what he expects from the game.

The importance of winning the Taça de Portugal
“Of course, our main objective was to win the league, but we didn't manage it. So, now, the focus is on winning this cup and finishing the season well.”

Sporting CP being favourites
“In general, when we talk about finals, it's difficult to say there's a favourite. It's difficult to say who is the favourite to win the Champions League, and tomorrow's final as well. We analysed SCU Torreense and the season they had, and we have a lot of respect for them. They played well against Casa Pia AC, they are fighting to get promoted to the top flight and they have all our respect. I think it will be a difficult game. It's a final and anything can happen, even if they are a team from the second tier.”

What to expect from SCU Torreense
“First of all, I want to say that in the Taça de Portugal this season we've had some difficulties, first with Paços de Ferreira FC, then CD Santa Clara and AVS. Therefore, we know that it could be equally difficult to play against SCU Torreense, especially because of the players they have up front. We know it won't be easy.”

His third final at Jamor for Morten Hjulmand
“I wasn't lucky enough to train on Tuesday. For me, Jamor is special, even if I'm not Portuguese. The atmosphere, the tradition, with the fans arriving in the morning, drinking beer, eating barbecue and socializing during the day. It's a fantastic tradition, I hope it continues, even if the stadium is a bit old. Unfortunately, I didn't win the first year I played there. The second year I did, and now my main objective is to win again.”

His injury in the final stretch of the season
“It was very difficult for me, not being able to help the team. I couldn't do it, I was working on my recovery, but we have to be honest, they weren't our best games. It wasn't easy watching the home games against AVS and CD Tondela. The games against Vitória SC and Gil Vicente FC demonstrated the quality of the team.”

Whether he will play
“I trained today and it went well, but the decision is up to the coach. He decides who will play tomorrow.”

It possibly being his last game for Sporting CP
“I think right now is not the right time to talk about my future. Our focus has to be on Sporting CP and on tomorrow, because we haven't won any trophies this season yet. I'll talk about my future after the end of the season. Being associated with such a big club as Real Madrid is a great honour, but I have a contract with Sporting CP, I have all the respect and also love for this club. So, based on that, my focus is on tomorrow's game. Rumours are part of the game, but I don’t think it will affect tomorrow’s game. After that, we’ll talk about my future. The same applies to other players. We know that Morita and Quenda won’t stay and we want to have a good ending for them here at Sporting CP.”

The end of his partnership with Morita
“I enjoyed all the games I played with him. I think the games speak for themselves, as does the way the fans said goodbye to him at Alvalade. It was special, you could see that he was touched by it and very emotional. It’s normal: He’s been here for five years, his children were born here. It won’t be easy to say goodbye to him after being part of his life for three years. We saw each other almost every day, except on vacation, and I’m going to miss him.”

The coach previews the Taça de Portugal final

The Taça de Portugal final will be played this Sunday at Jamor, kicking off at 5:15pm. After eliminating FC Paços de Ferreira, AC Marinhense, CD Santa Clara, AVS Futebol Sad, and FC Porto along the way, Sporting Clube de Portugal now go up against SCU Torreense in their attempt to win their 19th such trophy.

Coach Rui Borges spoke to the media before the contest.

Sporting CP deserving to win the Taça de Portugal
"Fairness is relative. It depends on who is looking at it and how the game will be, but I do think the group deserve to be in this final, to fight for the trophy and to win it. We will have to do a lot to win; it's no use saying we deserve it, we have to demonstrate it on the pitch, against a team that will give their all, at an historic time for the club and for most of the players. We have to be prepared for the demands of the game, regardless of whether they're in a lower division or not. They have demonstrated their quality throughout the season. Just this week, against a team from the Primeira Liga, they showed that, and it will serve as a warning for what we will encounter tomorrow. The group deserve it, for everything they've done this season. We deserve it, just as SCU Torreense will say that they deserve it."

Reaching a second consecutive final
"It makes me happy, but above all I'm pleased about the season. I think everything we did was very good. We didn't manage to win the title, and even today I told the players that it wasn't enough for us to be the same as last season to be champions again. We were almost identical to last season and it wasn't enough, but that doesn't erase what they all did. The team showed a lot of collective quality throughout the season and did so consistently, in all competitions as. We have to show on the pitch that we deserve to finish the season with a trophy."

SCU Torreense being in the middle of the promotion playoffs
“These are games in which, without a doubt, coach Tralhão doesn't need to motivate the players. There won't be fatigue, the motivation they have will be high, and it will make our task more difficult. That's why we have to be very serious. They're a team that have shown quality, they're coming off seven games unbeaten and have only conceded three goals, which clearly indicates their quality in duels and their defensive competitiveness. We have to be very focused on our individual and collective performance.”

Respect for the opposition making it difficult to feel like favourites
“We have to be serious and not take things lightly. The level of pressure at this club is constant, and nothing is better than that. It's a positive pressure that we all like. We don't consider ourselves favourites, because to be in a final, both teams have to have their merits. We respect that, and I have experience in that regard. I've been through all levels of football and I know very well what it means to be in a final at Jamor and play against great teams. I know the difficulties that the so-called smaller teams pose the favourites. I don't see SCU Torreense as a team that are in a lower division, especially since they are fighting to get promoted to the Primeira Liga."

The most difficult game to prepare
“The hardest thing would be watching it on television at home. I'm happy to be able to play in another final, and am taking it with the utmost seriousness. Just look at our path in the Taça de Portugal and the league, where we dropped points against teams that were already relegated. The games that stress me the most are those in the cup, because I know how difficult it is to face lower-level teams and how hard it is to win those games.”

The absence of Fotis Ioannidis:
“He's not fit for the game. I could say he's 100 percent recovered, but he hasn't fully integrated into training with us yet. Given everything that happened during his time out, it was best not to bring him back yet. I'm sure he'll start next season at 100 percent, and that will also be important for him and for us.”

The summer transfer market
“There's a lot of talk. "We can talk about Zalazar, and I've already spoken about him, as have the club. As for the rest, it's up to journalists. It's part of football, we have to be aware of what's happening, but one thing is certain: Everything here is done rigorously and with a lot of communication. We are aligned with what we want for next season and, in that aspect, the club are being fantastic.”

Possible departures
“I would like to keep everybody. I wish Morita weren't leaving, that Quenda weren't leaving, but that's how the market works. I'm happy to see them linked to big clubs, because it's a sign of individual appreciation within a collective that did very well throughout the season. It's good for us coaches to feel that we helped the players to be valued and that we helped the club to get the most from their assets. It's part of football, but it doesn't affect me at all. I like them all very much, I wouldn't want to lose any of them, but I know that this is football. For some to leave, others have to come in. I'm very cold-minded about it.”

Morten Hjulmand
“He's a player under contract with the club. He's a Sporting CP player and part of my plans. We'll see what the market dictates. Of course, I'll be very happy if he stays. If he doesn't, then it is what it is. I wouldn't be very happy because I like him a lot, he's shown a lot of quality, he's a great leader, he's always stood up for the group and that's very important. We need more and more of those leaders in the dressing room.”

Potentially the last game for many players
“They are professionals and they know that this is how football is. The ones who know they're leaving are Quenda and Morita; all the other players have contracts with Sporting CP and know when they need to report for next season. None of them can be too nostalgic about what the future holds, because they have contracts with Sporting CP. I believe Quenda and Morita might be more sensitive, but I feel they are happy and motivated to have another achievement here. I think their happiness and motivation will be at their peak, and I don't need to worry too much about that. What they really want to know is if the manager will play them.”

Sporting CP being the most represented club at the World Cup
“This also shows the work that Sporting CP have been doing, not only with Rui Borges, but throughout the last few years. This makes us very happy. I'm happy, but I am also sad because I wanted there to be more players called up. Pote deserved it. Edu, perhaps, is also a case to be taken into account in the future for the national team, as well as others.”

The squad train on Friday morning

This Friday, Sporting Clube de Portugal continued their preparations for the Taça de Portugal final against SCU Torreense, scheduled for Sunday at 5:15pm.

Another training session is scheduled for Saturday morning, after which coach Rui Borges and a player will both preview the final match of the season in a press conference.

Call-ups for Rui Silva, Gonçalo Inácio, and Francisco Trincão

Rui Silva, Gonçalo Inácio, and Francisco Trincão have been called up by Portugal coach Roberto Martínez to represent their national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The squad list was announced this Tuesday in Oeiras.

The three players will all be participating for the first time in the competition. 

MATCH DATES:
Portugal vs. DR Congo - June 17th, NRG Stadium (Houston)

Portugal vs. Uzbekistan - June 23rd, NRG Stadium (Houston)

Colombia vs. Portugal - June 28th, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)

Ousmane Diomande has been called up by the Ivory Coast and Zeno Debast is also on the squad list for Belgium, with the pair the other Sporting CP players confirmed as being involved in the competition in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The coach reflects on the Liga Portugal season

Following the final game of the 2025/26 Liga Portugal season, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges held a press conference to analyse the victory over Gil Vicente FC, earning his team second place and a spot in the qualifying phase for the UEFA Champions League.

Analysis of the game
“It was a great first half for us. We dominated, not allowing Gil Vicente FC to have any success when they had the ball. We were playing very well, with good timing in our pressing and reaction, and the goals came about naturally. We could even have scored another. In the second half, the opposition tried to be more aggressive, having one or two approaches, but then we managed to control the game with the ball and made it 3-0 in the final stages. It was well deserved, especially considering the opportunities we created in the first half.”

Farewells to Quenda and Morita
“It’s sad, because they are two great players. Quenda is at the beginning of his career, which will undoubtedly be a very good one. In a short time he has given us a lot, and I wish him all the luck in the world. Morita is a different kind of player and, personally, I am a great admirer of his – I already was before I came here, and I am even more so now. I learned a lot from him and I am sad to see him leave, because he is a wonderful player, but I’m also happy for everything he gave to Sporting CP. Him having been my player is something I will never forget, for his footballing and human qualities. He will always be someone special to me and, as has become clear, to the Sporting CP fans.

Second place
“Within the possible objectives, it gives some value to our season. It was the least we deserved for the ability and quality we demonstrated throughout. Fifteen less good days in a campaign don't erase the extraordinary season we had. The team gave another clear response regarding the strength of this group, even with players carrying injuries. The least this group deserved was second place, and we still have a Taça de Portugal final to play.”

The confirmed arrival of Rodrigo Zalazar
“He had a great season domestically and internationally, and will possibly be at the World Cup. He will give us many solutions for our dynamics, because he is a good player in footballing terms and is very competitive, with enormous ambition, matching the group and Sporting CP. I hope he has a very happy future. It was an opportunity we had, to sign a player we really wanted.”

The league season
“One always learns. FC Porto were more competent than us, full stop. We had the same number of points as last season, when we were champions, and that wasn't enough this year. I had said that doing the same wasn't enough, and this was the demonstration of that. The group had a great campaign, but another team had an extraordinary season. We could have done better at some moments, but we didn't. It's part of my growth as a coach, but I'm very proud of my journey so far at Sporting CP. Fortunately, we only missed one final, but we battled in all competitions.”

His overall season review
“We did everything to be champions. At some points we didn't succeed, and therefore we have to try to improve. We are in the Taça de Portugal final, we reached the Champions League quarter-finals and stayed in the fight until the end for the league. This shows the spirit, ambition and greatness of this group.”

The importance of Champions League preliminary qualification
“I'm very cold about the transfer market. I will have a squad with several players capable of making Sporting CP strong and competitive again. That's what we want and that's what we're going to work for.”

The returns of Hjulmand and Vagiannidis after injury
“He has recovered. I already said yesterday that he was training on the pitch. He is a great captain and wanted to play, even with pain -just like Vagiannidis, who played a great game. This is the Vagiannidis we want. I believe that after this year of adaptation he will have a great season next year. Zeno [Debast] has a problem, but if the national team and the player believe that he can still contribute, that's their decision.”

Words exchanged with Morita on his way off the pitch
“I just said thank you for everything he helped us with. It's a delight to see him play. He is a great reference for the group and his teammates have enormous respect for him.”

Players who have evolved the most tactically during the season
“I think all of them, but perhaps Maxi has grown a lot in his position. There’s Trincão, who perhaps grew the most tactically, because at times he has had different tasks. Iván Fresneda had a great season and Geny too, proving to be more mature.”

Fotis Ioannidis' condition
“He could be an option for the final.”

The Taça de Portugal final
“My only focus is to get the team switched on and prepare them for the demands of the game. I remember that we started this cup campaign in Paços de Ferreira, where we only won in extra time against a team fighting to avoid relegation in the II Liga. Now, we are going to play against a team fighting to get promoted. We have the maximum respect, concentration and high standards for the Taça de Portugal final.”

A 3-0 home win over Gil Vicente FC earns them the runner-up spot in the league

In the closing match of the 2025/26 Liga Portugal season, Sporting CP defeated Gil Vicente FC 3-0 through goals from Eduardo Quaresma, Luis Suárez and Morten Hjulmand, earning them second place in the final table and access to the qualifying phase of the UEFA Champions League.

They were up against one of the revelations of the season, Gil Vicente FC, who were still seeking to equal their best ever position of fifth place and qualify for European competition -and had been one of the teams that took points from Sporting CP in the first half of the season with a 1-1 draw.

Rui Borges made three changes to the Sporting CP starting eleven: Georgios Vagiannidis, Hjulmand – both recovering from injury – and Geny Catamo returned, taking the places of Ousmane Diomande (out through suspension), Daniel Bragança and Luís Guilherme.

Before the game got underway, Hidemasa Morita – whose contract is expiring at the end of the campaign –, and Geovany Quenda – who is heading back to Chelsea FC after a season on loan – were cheered on their farewell at Alvalade.

Once the action began, Sporting CP came out intensely, dominating possession, and captain Hjulmand had the first chance in the opening moments -sending a shot wide.

The pace slowed down afterwards, but the scoring was opened from a set piece. Just past the quarter-hour, Pedro Gonçalves took a corner to the far post, where Eduardo Quaresma rose and headed into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.

From another dead ball situation, Suárez reached the byline and passed to Hjulmand in the six-yard box, but his effort was stopped by goalkeeper Dani Figueira.

 The mobility and combinations between the Sporting CP attackers caused increasing havoc, and between successive crosses and increasingly dangerous approaches, they continued to push for goal number two.

'Pote' turned on the style for another close call, but it would be the league's top scorer who made it 2-0. Morita managed to cushion the ball down for Luis Suárez's arrival, and the Colombian unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the area, for his 28th Liga Portugal goal of the season.

Before halftime, Dani Figueira came out of his area to prevent Vagiannidis from going through alone. In response, Sporting CP’s Rui Silva made a good save to deflect a shot from outside the area by Luís Esteves.

After the interval, Gil Vicente FC came out more aggressively and were even the first team to threaten, with a long-range shot from Luís Esteves that Rui Silva kept away. At the other end, good work by Suárez left Francisco Trincão with a clear chance to score, were it not for a last-ditch clearance by Jonathan Buatu in the area.

Shortly after the hour mark, with more space to exploit due to Gil Vicente FC's higher defensive line, Trincão got a shot away that Dani Figueira saved with great difficulty.

As the minutes ticked by, Sporting CP controlled possession, and Rui Borges made three substitutions at once. Daniel Bragança, Luís Guilherme, and Geovany Quenda came on, replacing Pedro Gonçalves, Geny Catamo, and Morita, who received a huge ovation on his farewell night at what has been his home since the 2022/23 season.

Sporting CP later brought on Ricardo Mangas and Salvador Blopa, and controlled play until the end, with few further chances arising. However, there was still time to celebrate another goal at Alvalade. In stoppage time, captain Hjulmand went into the opposing area and, with a curling shot, provided the perfect ending to this last home game and the final league match.

Rounding off the competition with their third consecutive victory, Sporting CP equalled their 82 points from last season, this time six fewer than FC Porto and two more than SL Benfica.

The team now head to Jamor for the final of the Taça de Portugal, on Sunday, May 24th (5:15pm) against SCU Torreense.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Georgios Vagiannidis (Salvador Blopa, 90'), Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (Daniel Bragança, 73'), Geny Catamo (Geovany Quenda, 73'), Pedro Gonçalves (Luís Guilherme, 73'), Francisco Trincão (Ricardo Mangas, 90'), Luis Suárez.

The coach talks before the Liga Portugal closer

Sporting Clube de Portugal host Gil Vicente FC on Saturday at 8:30 PM, on the 34th and final Matchday of the Liga Portugal season. Coach Rui Borges previewed the match in his press conference and stressed the importance of his team finishing the league campaign in second place.

Playing the last home game of the season
“Above all, let me first highlight the sellout crowd we’ll have tomorrow. It's a sign that they are behind us and that they want to give us that extra strength that has been so important throughout the season -and that will be very important tomorrow if we are to defeat Gil Vicente FC.”

What he expects from Gil Vicente FC
"Gil Vicente FC are a good side who are having an excellent season and are still fighting for European football, so that clearly indicates the difficulty we face. That’s in addition to the team itself, the collective. They are a very well-organised side, a very cohesive unit; sometimes they use high-pressing, with good timing and good triggers, and are very competitive and cohesive when activated. They are a team who give little to their opponents and are extremely strong on offensive set pieces, so that clearly indicates the difficulty we face in tomorrow's game. That's why I started by saying it was important to have a full stadium, so the group could feel that good energy. At the end of a season which has been quite intense at all levels, we need them to help us."

Competing for second place
"I want us to finish in second place. My team and I want to be competent enough to beat a good team who are having a great season. It will be a very competitive, very intense game that will demand the best from us. I’m very focused on tomorrow's game, which is very important and still gives us a lot to work towards. We haven't achieved our main objective yet, which is to be second so we can qualify for the best club competition in Europe."

The transfer market
“I won’t comment on the transfer market, because if we had all of the players linked to us, we would already have two teams for next season. It’s not the time to talk about the transfer market, but rather to focus on tomorrow’s game, which could give us a place in the UEFA Champions League. That’s what we really want and that has to be our only focus at the moment. Regarding farewells for players, there’s the farewell of [Hidemasa] Morita, who everyone knows is out of contract and will be us saying goodbye to a player who made his mark on the history of Sporting CP and on all of us personally.”

Self-critical analysis
“I’m focused on being competent. I know I wasn’t competent in some games and that I didn’t win the title because of that. That’s what I know. It has a lot to do with solutions I can find for my team to become better. I'm focused on being better and better. I want to be a better coach, more competent and win the title, which is our great objective as coaches, as a team, as players, and we didn't manage to achieve it. We didn't manage to achieve it because at some moments we weren't as competent as we wanted to be. That's all."

Sporting CP’s season
"The only thing that bothers us is that we weren't able to be league champions, and next season we have to be better than we were this year. That's what we're focused on. We really want to win the Taça de Portugal. I'm more concerned with what we were capable of and what we weren't capable of at certain moments."

The game against Gil Vicente FC last season at Alvalade
"Gil Vicente FC's desire has been demonstrated throughout the season, hence the great campaign they are having. It’s credit to their coach and players, and tomorrow they still be the Gil Vicente FC that they have been up until now. They are a team that like to have possession and have a well-defined process, are very strong in one-on-one situations and on the flanks, and are very strong with their crossing. They are one of the most effective teams in crossing areas, and a team that score goals from outside the box as well. I believe Gil Vicente FC will be in great form tomorrow, especially since they are still aiming for European competitions and will do everything to achieve it their target -just as we are focused on ours. It was good last year for us to win in the penultimate minute against Gil Vicente FC, but we haven’t talked about last season with the players. We did talk about the game we had this season in Barcelos and we analysed it in the best way possible."

How the team could have improved
"We didn't just drop points in one game, so it's not just in one game that I could have done better. I could have done better in any game I didn't win, because if we didn't win it's because we weren't good enough or we weren't better than the opposition. We have to do our job, analyse things in the best way possible and grow as coaches, as a team, so that we drop fewer and fewer points."

Vagiannidis' availability
"He is a doubt for tomorrow's game. Zeno [Debast] is out, but Morten [Hjulmand] has started training on the pitch."

The games against Gil Vicente FC and SCU Torreense defining Sporting CP's season
"These are two important games that dictate a lot, and we have to have that responsibility, that understanding. It’s the difference between playing in the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa League, and the possibility of winning a trophy. It's much more about that than thinking about whether it dictates what the season was like.”

Future national team call-ups and Sporting CP players
"We would all name a different squad; nobody would name the same squad twice either. My players always deserve it, they had a good season. I'm not going to get into the perspective of who should be called up or not, or which players will or will not be included. I do know, however, that those who have been called up for Portugal have had a great season, and I strongly believe that they will continue to be part of the national team setup."

The coach talks about the 1-4 win over Rio Ave FC

Following the victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal over Rio Ave FC, coach Rui Borges attended the press conference in Vila do Conde and answered questions from journalists.

Analysis of the game
"It was a difficult victory. We had a tough first half, in which we conceded a goal very early. We knew what Rio Ave FC do well, because they have the players to do it. They play direct balls to their target men and, when they can't do that, they are very active on second balls. That happened throughout the first half. We had to take that risk. We lost some duels, which made it difficult, but we managed to improve towards the end of the first half. We scored the goal and were lucky with the second. The second half was uneventful, but it was all Sporting CP. We controlled the game, sometimes with slower ball movement but always focused, which was important. Even when a man down, Rio Ave FC are dangerous, because they are a very strong team in terms of fitness.”

Finishing second
"The group are happy because we were able to win again. Of course, then there's the added bonus of us moving into second again, but there's still one matchday. We need the support of our fans at home, which has been crucial throughout the season -even away from home. Gil Vicente FC will make our task difficult.”

Refereeing
"I don't comment on refereeing. The decisions were made this way and I believe they were judged correctly."

The team's current form
"Getting back into second place brings some motivation and tranquility for us. Having lost the opportunity to continue fighting for the title, and then losing second place, was difficult, but we managed to overcome that. It's important that we only depend on ourselves to secure second place in the last weekend of the season. I hope the players are even more motivated for the difficulty of the last game."

Zeno Debast and Georgios Vagiannidis
"Both were injured in training and are under evaluation. I can't give much more information. I believe we will have more news in the coming days."

The Taça de Portugal final
"Finishing second has to cross everyone's minds. The team breathes a little differently, but we have a difficult game, even though it's at home." "The energy in all the teams isn't at 100%, but I believe the group's motivation is high enough for us to finish in second place."

Ousmane Diomande's fifth yellow card
"There are two central defenders left for us, it's not hard to guess who will play in his place. Who will play on the right? We'll find a solution."

The team triumph 1-4 on the road

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated Rio Ave FC 1-4 on the penultimate matchday of the Liga Portugal season, returning to second place in the standings and leaving their fate in their own hands in the race for the runner-up spot.

There were two changes to the starting lineup, with Ousmane Diomande and Luís Guilherme replacing Zeno Debast and Geny Catamo.

Rio Ave FC started out sharpest in Vila do Conde. Just two minutes in, their first attempt on goal came from Dario Špikić, with his shot being turned out for a corner. Shortly after, Tamble Monteiro created a much more serious threat with a header, narrowly missing the target.

In response, Francisco Trincão found Pedro Gonçalves with a beautiful pass, and he aimed for goal and came very close to scoring.

On 10 minutes, another shot from Tamble Monteiro went wide.

Rio Ave FC's strong start resulted in a 1-0 lead within the first quarter of an hour. Diogo Bezerra finished off a counter-attack initiated by a loss of possession by Rui Borges' men, and gave his side the advantage.

Sporting CP began to work harder to dominate the game and create more danger in the opposition area. In the 17th minute, Luis Suárez tried for the equalizer, but his effort lacked accuracy.

The striker managed to win a penalty in the 33rd minute, when brought down in the area by Petrasso. He stepped up to convert, taking Sporting CP back level.

In bizarre circumstances, the visitors made it 1-2: Gustavo Mancha attempted a pass to goalkeeper Cezary Miszta, but the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Suárez came close to a second goal when he met Maxi Araújo's cross with a subtle finish that was just centimetres from hitting the target. At the other end, Rio Ave FC could have equalised before the interval, first with a shot from Tamble Monteiro saved by Rui Silva with his foot, then with a hit from Dario Špikić into the side netting.

The second half was much more convincing for Sporting CP, even without a brilliant performance from them. In the 52nd minute, Petrasso fouled Suárez near the penalty area, receiving his second yellow card and reducing Rio Ave FC to ten men. In the ensuing free kick, Gonçalves' shot was saved by Miszta.

With a numerical advantage, Sporting CP exerted more control and created more opportunities. In the 63rd minute, Luis Suárez almost scored on two occasions, but the ball went slightly wide of the post.

Geny Catamo and Geovany Quenda replaced Luís Guilherme and Hidemasa Morita to change things up for Sporting CP.

In the 66th minute, the scoreline moved to 1-3, thanks to a great move by Trincão, who cut in from the right and, from outside the area, struck into the back of the net.

The third Sporting CP goal effectively killed the game off, as it lost much of its intensity. In the final ten minutes, Pedro Gonçalves and Daniel Bragança were replaced by Eduardo Felicíssimo – playing his first minutes for the first team in 2025/26 – and Giorgi Kochorashvili.

In the 85th minute there was another sending off for Rio Ave FC, as Ryan Guilherme also received a red card after two bookings.

Against only nine players, Sporting CP sealed the victory with a goal from Quenda, who had recovered the ball at the start of the play and finished confidently. It was the 19-year-old's first goal since November.

Following the 1-4 win, Sporting CP have one final game in Liga Portugal, hosting Gil Vicente FC at the Estádio José Alvalade on the last day of the season.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Eduardo Quaresma, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio [C], Maxi Araújo, Hidemasa Morita (Geovany Quenda, 65'), Daniel Bragança (Giorgi Kochorashvili, 82'), Luís Guilherme (Geny Catamo, 65'), Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves (Eduardo Felicíssimo, 82') and Luis Suárez (Rafael Nel, 90+1')