Os Leões impress with a 3-0 triumph

Sporting Clube de Portugal won their presentation game at the Estádio José Alvalade, beating Villarreal CF 3-0 in the Troféu Cinco Violinos.

Before kickoff, the players were introduced one by one and “O Mundo Sabe Que” was played by five violinists in the centre circle, while the Sportinguistas gathered at the stadium sang along.

Coach Rúben Amorim opted for Antonio Adán, Eduardo Quaresma, Sebastián Coates, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves, Matheus Reis, Marcus Edwards, Viktor Gyökeres and Francisco Trincão in his starting lineup.

Despite Villarreal CF starting out with more of the ball, Sporting CP grew into the contest quickly, pressing high and creating dangerous moves.

The first chance came from Trincão's run, when he was stopped just outside the area. Gonçalves took over the possession sent a shot just over the goal occupied by Filip Jorgensen.

Viktor Gyökeres, in his first game at Alvalade, forced the Villarreal CF goalkeeper into a great save off an individual move by the Swedish striker, who ran down the right and then placed the ball towards goal. Off the resulting corner, Morita headed wide.

At the other end of the pitch, Villarreal CF, through captain Gerard Moreno, were also giving Adán a hard time, especially in the 24th minute, in which the goalkeeper prevented an opener with an excellent stop.

In response, Sporting CP were close to taking the lead: First when Matheus Reis fired into the side netting, then through Edwards after receiving from Gyökeres.

Villarreal CF had the ball in the net on 34 minutes, through Moreno, but the offside flag was promptly raised and a VAR review confirmed the decision. The striker would also hit the woodwork a few minutes later.

Finally, on the stroke of halftime, Edwards muscled his way past several opposition players and belted the ball with his left foot to make it 1-0 in style.

Gonçalves took a pass from Ricardo Esgaio and only needed a finish, but Aissa Mandi cut out his effort. This was followed by José Luis Morales having a goal for Villarreal CF ruled out for a clear offside.

For the second half, Amorim and opposition coach Quique Setién had contrasting approaches, with 'The Yellow Submarine' experiencing a series of substitutions and Sporting CP unchanged. Amorim would eventually make adjustments on the hour, taking off Edwards and Esgaio and bringing on Geny Catamo and Paulinho. Both started well, with the former heading wide almost immediately.

In the 64th minute, Amorim decided to freshen things up, introducing Franco Israel, Ousmane Diomande and Daniel Bragança in place of Adán, Coates and Trincão.

High pressure from Sporting CP paid off with the second goal in the 72nd minute. Pedro Gonçalves collected the ball on the edge of the area, rounded two defenders and placed the ball past Pepe Reina.

Not five minutes later, they made it 3-0, this time through Paulinho. Good work by Geny Catamo on the right, a cross into the six yard box and a subtle shot from the striker increased the advantage.

Gyökeres had a pair of shots, and Gonçalves a back-heeled effort, but the Villarreal CF goalkeeper got the upper hand. Paulinho was then denied by the upright, as the Sporting CP pressure continued.

The game ended 3-0 as Os Leões made a statement against Champions League-level opposition. Sporting CP will be back at the Estádio José Alvalade on August 12th, in the first match of the Liga Portugal season against FC Vizela. Before that, there is still one final preseason game, in England, on August 5th against Everton.