The last mic-drop was Harder

Could it have been more epic? At the time of Ruben Amorim’s farewell, Sporting went through a gray cloud that lasted 45 minutes and put their unbeaten record at serious risk, but they got up in time, reversed a 2-0 deficit in the second half and beat SC Braga by 2-4. The last mic-drop de Amorim on a trip through Alvalade that history books will not forget.

Carlos Carvalhal assembled the team in a 3x4x3 that without the ball became 5x4x1 and handed the key to the wings to Roger Fernandes (right) and Gabri Martínez (left), giving the impression that the midweek game in Sweden also served as a test for the strategy presented in this Sunday’s game.

With Gabri and Roger on the outside controlling the attacks of Geovany Quenda and Maxi Araújo, the trio of defenders – Sikou Niakaté, Paulo Oliveira and João Ferreira – diverted all attention to the Leonine attacking trio, with the usual routines of Francisco Trincão and Pedro Gonçalves appearing inside, very close to Viktor Gyökeres.

The lesson seemed well studied by the Gverreiros do Minho and the first 45 minutes were, in a way, dominated by the home team. Not in terms of possession of the ball, that is guaranteed, but in the most important aspect: scoring opportunities. There were three, of which the home team converted two, both by captain Ricardo Horta (20′ and 45′), who found his way back to scoring goals. First, ’21’ took advantage of a ball ownerless in the Leonine area to finish and then took advantage of an exquisite assistance from Bruma, in a quick transition that begins with a huge ball recovery from João Moutinho.

Furthermore, there was never any discomfort in the Arsenal team during the first half. With a low block, but very cohesive and controlling both the spaces between the lines and Viktor Gyökeres’ attacks into space very well, SC Braga felt good on the field at all times. Merit of Carvalhal’s strategy, but also of a team that raised the levels of concentration and emotional control – even Sporting seemed more out of control in this aspect on some occasions – to levels never seen before at Pedreira in 2024/25.

Lion injured is not lion died

Ruben Amorim exchanged Zeno Debast for Jeremiah St. Just into the second half and the bet proved to be correct. Not only did the Dutch defender’s speed come in handy to stop opposing transitions in moments when Sporting were more exposed, but it was also from the Groningen giant’s head that the goal was scored that brought the Sporting fans back into the discussion: Juste rose higher than everyone , deflected a Quenda corner to the post and Hidemasa Morita, just introduced, pushed in to make it 2-1 (58′).

Sporting, which until then had many difficulties to pierce the Braga defense, took advantage of the momentum created by the goal and some disorientation in an opponent showing signs of wear and tear to threaten a couple more times, always from the left. On the first occasion, Viktor Gyökeres narrowly missed the equalizer and then it was Geny Catamo who took out Matheus Magalhães’ tight defense.

Just like in the first half, the green and whites continued to dominate possession, but Carvalhal refreshed the team and SC Braga seemed to have regained momentum without the ball. The clock ticked down, Sporting continued to grow and try to reach a draw in every way. SC Braga closed the door, but Morten Hjulmand opened the window and made the outside shot the solution to the draw (81′).

The ten minutes that SC Braga had ahead of them now seemed long, too long. And when a lion smells blood… he rarely lets his prey live. Conrad Harder, a solution off the bench to make up for Maxi Araújo’s dullest night, confirmed the epic somersault on the scoreboard with another shot from outside and was still in time to score twice, in quick transition, to put an end to it.

Amorim says goodbye to Sporting and Portugal with a unique record: 11 victories in as many rounds and the qualification situation in the Champions League is still well underway. SC Braga ends the day in fifth place, behind Santa Clara.