Sporting Lisbon wins with two goals at home to keep the lead together with Porto.

It was the chance to catch Porto in the first place and for Amorim’s squad, this match represented a challenge to be overcome successfully. On the other hand, Luis Carlos Batalha Freire had in hand to get the three points in a difficult transfer.

Sporting had the initiative in the early minutes with Edwards and Paulinho. Sporting had a goal ruled out for offside in the eighth minute and wanted to break the deadlock as soon as possible.

Ten minutes passed and Edwards passed for Morita, who with an amazing assist gave the goal with an empty net to Paulinho, who made no mistake and sent the match 1-0.

O golo de Paulinho que inaugurou o marcador em Alvalade! 😎#SCPRAFC // 2-0
📺 Acompanha o jogo na @SPORTTVPortugal pic.twitter.com/MKh98VNg5n

— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) September 25, 2023

Sporting was playing better in the first minutes and had the initiative to attack, finding the spaces. Magrao was in a good evening saving some chances not to concede more and keep the match at a goal disadvantage.

Aderllan Santos had a crash with Paulinho in the 18th and suffered an elbow in his head. Paulinho had a chance in 20thm, but Magrao is cautious to interfere. Patrick William also was there to stop the attacks of Sporting, which were intensified in the 25th minute.

The second goal

Edwards advanced in the goal line and shot from a difficult angle to score the second for Sporting Lisbon. The match was turning into a comfortable one for the home side.

Edwards fez assim o segundo dos Leões no jogo 🤩#SCPRAFC // 2-0
📺 Acompanha o jogo na @SPORTTVPortugal pic.twitter.com/KUJgrXNKnj

— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) September 25, 2023

Paulinho gave an excellent ball for Pedro Goncalves and Sporting winger’s shot went wide for inches.

Edwards had another chance in the 33rd, but his shot was saved by Magrao. Adan controlled a cross in the 35th and had a tense situation with Ruiz.

Fabio Ronaldo shot in the 39th, but his shot went over the crossbar and did not concern Adan. Sporting had to manage a comfortable advantage as the first half was coming to an end. Fabio Ronaldo and Joca were pressing high to give the sensation of the first obstacle to Sporting as they were building up from the back.

Three minutes were added on as the two teams closed the first half with intense performances, but adding one winner. Pedro Goncalves had the last chance with a pass from Edwards, but his shot went over the bar in the last minute of the first half.

The second half started and Sporting was immediately in the attack. Rio Ave replaced Savio with Ze Manuel in the 46th,

Paulinho won a foul caught by Ruiz at the entrance of the zone. He was booked for this foul from behind. Another player ended up in the referee’s book and this was Sebastian Coates for a foul on the other end.

Costinha had the chance to reduce the gap with his header that defeated Adan in the 50th minute. The goal was disallowed by VAR for 6 cm offside.

Guga was replaced by Bruno Ventura in the 52nd and that meant fresh legs for the visitors.

Fabio Ronaldo was the most dangerous man on the left side and Esgaio and Diomande had problems with him. He was booked though in the 57th and had to be careful not to get another one. Rio Ave had something to play with an hour passing and with two goals disadvantage.

Pedro Goncalves had the chance to score the third in the 63rd, but his shot ended wide the target defended by Magrao. Ruiz shot in the 66th, but his attempt was saved by Adan.

More subs coming on

Sporting subbed Edwards with Trincao and Hjulmand with Daniel Braganca in the 67th.

Rio Ave made two other subs in the 71st. Patrick William was out and Nobrega in in the defense. Joao Graca was out in the attack for Ukra to defend more and not concede.

Ukra got a yellow in the 73rd as the rhythm of the game was high for him and he shouldn’t risk getting another one in a few minutes.

Geny Catamo replaced Ricardo Esgaio and Santos was out for Matheus Reis in the 78th. This game was a sign of resilience for Rio Ave, who played well in Jose Alvelade, but they were unlucky to concede earlier in the game and not be able to take at least one back.

Neto was in for Diomande in the 91st as Sporting needed to manage the final minutes.

Bruno Ventura received a yellow and this was an indication for his personal stats only as the match was already done.

In the end, Sporting won to equalize Porto and keep the first place in the table after six weeks. The next fixture for them is Farense, on Saturday and this means that the winning streak can be extended more.