Betclic League: Unstoppable Lion wins “classic” (2-0)
Sporting and FC Porto faced each other in Alvalade in a classic that ended with the “lions” winning 2-0 with goals from Gyokeres (72′ gp) and Catamo (90+3′) guaranteeing the leadership in the Liga Portugal Betclic to Rúben Amorim’s team, with 4 wins in 4 rounds.
Both coaches made virtually no changes to their starting line-ups, with Amorim keeping Catamo and Quenda on the wings and Quaresma in the central defensive axis, in an initial formation that once again included Hjulmand after his absence in Madeira and Faro. Vítor Bruno maintained his commitment to Namaso, who was once again the main reference in attack, but with the reinforcement Samu already on the bench.
The match started slowly, with many misplaced passes, but with a clear signal for FC Porto, who created the first chances in double doses at 13′ and 14′: first by Vasco Sousa with a long-range shot and then by Otávio following a corner, giving the first signs of danger for Porto. The response came from Trincão at 17′, with Zé Pedro saving his goal and denying the first goal from Sporting. The teams showed great intensity and Trincão once again put Alvalade on the brink of a nervous breakdown with two misses in front of goal at 35′, before Galeno tested Kovacevic’s reflexes at 41′. The first half ended with Sporting on top and with more chances, but with FC Porto always involved in the game and looking at the Sporting goal.
The second half brought excitement right from the start, with Gyokeres seeing Alan Varela deny him on the goal line in the 52nd minute. But the moment was short-lived, as after a few minutes without any opportunities, Galeno decided to take a chance from distance and force Kovacevic to make another save and save for a corner. The game was uncharacteristic, with neither team managing to create any opportunities and the ball always far from the goal. Until the 69th minute, Gyokeres received the ball on the right, Otávio made a poor approach, letting the Swede get away and then bringing him down in the area, with Luís Godinho taking the penalty. Gyokeres took charge of the save and made no mistake, scoring his seventh goal of the season and the first in the derby.
FC Porto had a mountain to climb, Vítor Bruno brought on Samu Omorodion in a bid to equalise, adding to the Spaniard’s entry with three more changes in one go. But FC Porto did not show the ability to overcome the Lions’ defensive barrier, refreshed with Debast and Matheus Reis and who managed to keep the danger at bay, and Gyokeres was always alert to target the blue and white goal, as in the 85th minute, with a shot that scared Diogo Costa.
Porto’s final pressure had no consequences and Sporting ended up increasing their lead with Geny going from the right to the middle and shooting dryly with his left foot, leaving Diogo Costa with no chance. Alvalade red hot, Sporting won the classic and lead the 2024-25 Portugal Betclic League with 4 wins in 4 games. The blue and whites suffered their first defeat of the season.
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