Sporting CP lose 1-2 at home to FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal were beaten 1-2 by FC Porto in 'O Clássico' on Sunday, on Liga Portugal Matchday 20 at the Estádio José Alvalade. Deserving of a better result, Os Leões put in a strong showing but lost out due to two FC Porto goals against the run of play.

Rúben Amorim made changes to his starting XI, including handing a first start to Héctor Bellerín. Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Bellerín, Manuel Ugarte, Pedro Gonçalves, Abdul Fatawu, Francisco Trincão, Youssef Chermiti and Marcus Edwards made up the initial lineup.

The game began intensely and with a pair of opportunities for both sides. In the sixth minute, Sporting CP's Trincão was denied by Marcano, who cut across to clear. From a corner emanating from the chance, Bellerín hit a full-force shot that caught a deflection to go out.

When Reis was fouled on the left side of the area, a dangerous free kick by Gonçalves went wide of goal.

In response, FC Porto forced Adán to make two saves: The first off a cross-shot from the left, which the goalkeeper tipped towards the back post, and the second from straight on that he punched clear.

A recovery from Bellerín kickstarted a move for Fatawu, and his cross from left was hit wide by the incoming Edwards.

Trincão's weak right-footed shot was held by Diogo Costa thereafter, as Sporting CP remained focused on scoring. Edwards, off a quick move by the team, sent a ball fizzing over the FC Porto goal.

Shortly after, on 28 minutes, Chermiti went down and required treatment after Pepe stepped on him -an incident for which not even a foul was called.

After half an hour of play, FC Porto also came close to opening the scoring, but their first shot hit the post and the rebound was struck over.

Amorim adjusted the team in the 35th minute, with Trincão having felt unwell before the game, and brought Paulinho into the game.

In the last five minutes of the first half, two more opportunities went Sporting CP's way. First Chermiti got a ball in from Bellerín, but Marcano cut out the danger. Then Edwards fired off a free kick that Costa needed to send away.

The score remained 0-0 at the interval and Amorim made more adjustments for the beginning of the second half. Nuno Santos came on to replace Fatawu, and under ten minutes later there was another change: Bellerín was withdrawn for Ricardo Esgaio.

The second half also began at a good pace, but without much danger in either area. That proved to be the calm before the storm, however, as off a rebound, FC Porto opened the scoring with a goal by Uribe.

Ousmane Diamonde and Arthur Gomes came on for Esgaio and Reis on 70 minutes, as the coach used up all his available substitutions.

Now in front, FC Porto slowed the rhythm of the game with fouls and stoppages.

Sporting CP were always looking for a response, and in the 88th minute Chermiti was close to scoring with a shot at the back post, but Costa managed to save it.

A minute and a half later, a shot by Arthur Gomes was saved and Chermiti had the ball in the net, but VAR ruled the goal out.

With another seven minutes to play in Alvalade and Sporting CP putting pressure on the opposition area, a cruel twist saw FC Porto get their second with a quick move finished by Pepê.

A consolation goal went Sporting CP's way when Gomes crossed from the right and Chermiti headed in, but there was to be no equaliser -even when Adán went upfield and headed wide.

Os Leões play again on Thursday, hosting FC Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League playoff.