Sporting CP take a fourth consecutive victory

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat FC Famalicão 3-1 on Matchday 26 in Liga Portugal, as Iván Fresneda, Viktor Gyökeres and Geny Catamo scored the goals.

On a rainy night at the Estádio José Alvalade, coach Rui Borges made two changes to his starting lineup: Ricardo Esgaio and Gonçalo Inácio were replaced by Hidemasa Morita and Maxi Araújo.

The start to the game couldn't have been better, as Sporting CP opened the scoring when the first minute was coming to an end. From a run down the left, breaking through the opposition defence, Gyökeres got into a dangerous area and passed to Francisco Trincão, who missed his shot. However, Fresneda appeared to finish off the move and make it 1-0.

Sporting CP then threatened with a free kick over the crossbar from Gyökeres, and would only face chances for FC Famalicão after the 17th minute appeared: Rui Silva making a save, then later Rafa Soares striking wide.

At the other end, Morita tried to set up Trincão, but goalkeeper Lazar Carević grabbed the cross.

Rui Silva was again called into action on the half hour, denying Gustavo Sá the equaliser with a great save.

After Lazar Carević prevented Fresneda from scoring a second goal, FC Famalicão won a penalty. Aranda converted from the spot and made it 1-1.

Before the break, only Sporting CP had clear opportunities. First it was Geovany Quenda with a venomous cross that flashed across the face of goal, then it was Araújo's turn, on two occasions, to come very close to scoring. The Uruguayan shot slightly wide with his weaker foot, and four minutes later he met Gyökeres' pass with -requiring both Sorriso and Lazar Carević to keep the ball out.

After the restart, Quenda shot slightly wide, and then had a powerful effort tipped onto the post by the opposition goalkeeper.

Just past the hour, Araújo was fouled in the FC Famalicão area and referee Miguel Nogueira awarded a penalty. Gyökeres successfully dispatched it for his 28th goal in Liga Portugal -his 40th in all competitions for Sporting CP in 2024/25.

Araújo once again came close after Quenda's phenomenal cross, but Lazar Carević saved. Ousmane Diomande's header went wide. Zeno Debast tried his luck with a free kick, but the goalkeeper saved it, as the opportunities continued.

In the 80th minute, Araújo was shown a straight red card, leaving Sporting CP a man down.

The task of maintaining the lead became more complicated, and an ambitious FC Famalicão tested Rui Silva with Sorriso's shot, but it was Sporting CP who were next to score.

In a tremendous collective move, Trincão set up Gyökeres and the latter, with great class, set up Geny Catamo at the far post. The Mozambican only needed to tap the ball in to make it 3-1.

Sporting CP took the victory and maintained the top spot in the table. They return to action at the end of the month, after the international break, visiting CF Estrela da Amadora.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Zeno Debast, Ousmane Diomande, Matheus Reis, Iván Fresneda (Geny Catamo, 60'), Morten Hjulmand [C] (Eduardo Felicíssimo, 90+2'), Hidemasa Morita (Eduardo Quaresma, 73'), Maxi Araújo, Francisco Trincão (Conrad Harder, 90+2'), Geovany Quenda (Ricardo Esgaio, 90+2') and Viktor Gyökeres.