The striker scores twice in a 0-3 win

Sporting Clube de Portugal claimed a comfortable 0-3 win over CF Estrela da Amadora at the Estádio José Gomes, making it four Liga Portugal wins in a row for Rui Borges' men. The team remain top of the table with seven games remaining of the 2024/25 season.

Borges had to make adjustments due to injuries, and decided to give starts to Eduardos, Quaresma and Felicíssimo. The initial XI also featured the return of captain Gonçalo Inácio.

On the day of an eclipse in Portugal, there was nothing capable of dimming the shine of Viktor Gyökeres, who was in exceptional form. He soon threatened the opposition goal, as after just 35 seconds he combined with Geovany Quenda and shot well, requiring a good save by opposition goalkeeper João Costa.

Matheus Reis had another chance for Sporting CP, after seven minutes. He got into the area at the end of a move that also involved Gyökeres, but the Brazilian's strong strike hit the crossbar.

Five minutes later, off a free kick by Zeno Debast, the ball bounced capriciously in the CF Estrela da Amadora area, causing much confusion. The home defence eventually managed to clear the danger.

The hosts contained Sporting CP's momentum and in the 15th minute they advanced into the opposition's half for the first time. However, Alan Ruiz's shot from distance went wide of the target.

Amidst some aggressive play from Estrela da Amadora, Sporting CP lost some control of possession. So much so that, off a quick transition, the home side once again approached the area defended. Matheus Reis cut out the threat in the nick of time.

Things swung firmly in Sporting CP's favour when Guilherme Montóia was sent off in the 34th minute, following a reckless challenge on Iván Fresneda.

Three close chances followed: Francisco Trincão shot over after linking up with Debast and Gyökeres; the Swedish striker had another effort cleared away; then, his header was kept out by an Estrela da Amadora side clinging on until the interval.

At half-time, Rui Borges brought on Geny Catamo, to use Mozambican's speed to break through the lines.

The opening goal finally came on 52 minutes, in several stages: Sporting CP benefited from a free kick. Ousmane Diomande was fouled in the penalty area. Afterwards, VAR signaled the infraction, the refereeing team reviewed the move and awarded the spot kick. Gyökeres dispatched the penalty for his 29th goal of the season.

Os Leões came close to increasing their lead in the 60th minute, with an improvised shot from Catamo, superbly saved by João Costa. On the rebound, Quenda sent a firm hit wide. Four minutes later, another decisive intervention from the goalkeeper prevented Matheus Reis' cross from reaching Trincão.

In the 78th minute, João Costa, competing with Viktor Gyökeres for the role of the most decisive player on the pitch, got the better of the Swede, who ran at speed on the right and released a shot saved by the goalkeeper.

However, Costa was unable to do anything to prevent Quenda's goal in the 81st minute. Following a pass from Gyökeres, he dribbled past an opposition defender and, from a slight angle to the right, placed the ball into the net.

Whilst Estrela de Amadora had a goal disallowed, there would be no doubt about the third of the game. Gyökeres suffered an obvious pull back in the penalty area and, from the spot, shot hard inside the left post to round off the victory.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Matheus Reis (Ricardo Esgaio, 84’), Zeno Debast, Viktor Gyökeres, Francisco Trincão (Conrad Harder, 84’), Iván Fresneda (Geny Catamo, 46’), Gonçalo Inácio [C], Ousmane Diomande, Geovany Quenda (Biel Teixeira, 90’), Eduardo Quaresma and Eduardo Felicíssimo (Henrique Arreiol, 90’).