Sporting CP cruise to victory on Liga Portugal Matchday 26

Back in action after a two-week international break, Sporting Clube de Portugal beat CD Santa Clara 3-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade on Liga Portugal Matchday 26. Paulinho, Trincão and Marcus Edwards scored the goals in a routine win for the team.

Rúben Amorim made some changes to his starting lineup: In defence, Matheus Reis joined Diomande, who moved to the right side, with Gonçalo Inácio at centre back with Coates out of the squad. On the wings, Nuno Santos occupied the left and Arthur Gomes the right, replacing the suspended Ricardo Esgaio.

The game started with total dominance from Sporting CP, and they were rewarded with a goal just 13 minutes in. Pedro Gonçalves hit a free kick into the area, and Paulinho rose highest to head home the opener.

Arthur Gomes came close to scoring a second with a long-range shot that went slightly over the crossbar, but it didn't take much longer for Sporting CP to make it 2-0. On 22 minutes, a ball through on the left flank allowed Trincão to break free from the defence and line up a strike to score.

It was only after that that the Azoreans, currently bottom of the Liga Portugal table, managed to see some of the ball and produced their first move of note, when Gabriel Silva headed over. Right after, at the other end, Gonçalo Inácio met a free kick and smashed his effort against the crossbar.

In the final stretch of the first half, despite the rather languid pace, Sporting CP continued to control things and could have extended their lead. After a beautiful team move, Nuno Santos crossed into the penalty area to feed Paulinho, who scuffed the ball over just before the whistle went for the interval.

After the break, Jeremiah St. Juste came on for Gonçalo Inácio, moving Diomande to the center of the defence.

In the 52nd minute, Paulinho recovered the ball high up the pitch, gave it to Marcus Edwards and the Englishman, after taking a defender out of the equation, struck into the back of the net to take the score to 3-0.

Trincão forced goalkeeper Gabriel Batista to make a good save, and Sporting CP were so comfortable that Amorim made a series of substitutions. Morita, Mateo Tanlongo, Rochinha and Luís Neto were all introduced, with the latter returning to action after seven months out.

Two attempts by Paulinho and a shot by the visitors that hit the post were the only moments of excitement before the end, and Sporting CP ran out resounding winners with a 3-0 triumph that extended their unbeaten run to nine.

On Wednesday they play at home to Gil Vicente FC on Matchday 27.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [C] [GK], Gonçalo Inácio (Jeremiah St. Juste, 45'), Ousmane Diomande, Matheus Reis (Luís Neto, 69'), Arthur Gomes, Manuel Ugarte (Mateo Tanlongo, 69'), Pedro Gonçalves (Hidemasa Morita, 69'), Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards (Rochinha, 70'), Francisco Trincão and Paulinho.