The Swede scores a hat-trick against Moreirense FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Moreirense FC 3-1 on Liga Portugal Matchday 30, keeping them top of the table with four games remaining of the season.

As requested by coach Rui Borges, the fans created a 'green wave' at the Estadio José Alvalade, including a welcome for the team bus by hundreds of fans.

Sporting CP made just one change to his starting lineup, bringing Geovany Quenda into the first XI in exchange for Iván Fresneda.

Prior to the match, a minute of applause was held in tribute to the late Aurélio Pereira.

In the next move, Geny Catamo missed the target from a similar position. Then the two combined with Catamo drawing a save from goalkeeper Kewin Silva.

The Estádio José Alvalade exploded with joy in the 12th minute with the opening goal. Captain Morten Hjulmand broke through from the right, entered the area and crossed, and when the Moreirense goalkeeper deflected the ball to Catamo, Gyökeres was on hand to finish off.

The momentum continued, with Sporting CP immediately setting out in search of the second goal. Several chances came from the left wing, with the Moreirense FC defence being torn apart from the speed of the passes and runs in their half.

Attempts by Geovany Quenda, Trincão, Gyökeres and Catamo were a prelude to the team making it 2-0 in the 25th minute. Trincão advanced several metres unchallenged, and struck against the defence. The ball fell to Gyökeres who smashed it into the back of the net with his right foot.

Upon the restart, Moreirense FC approached Rui Silva's area for the first time, with the goalkeeper claiming the ball calmly off the cross.

Not even the heavy rain that began to fall from the 38th minute onwards slowed down the impetus of Sporting CP. Five minutes before half-time, Maxi Araújo broke through on the left and crossed for Gyökeres, but Kewin got there first and denied the Leonino striker a hat-trick.

Maxi, in stoppage time, turned, round the goalkeeper and attempted a backheel, but Kewin recovered in time to deny him.

A dominant Sporting CP, who had enjoyed 70% possession, went into the break 2-0 to the good.

To start the second half, Moreirense FC appeared rejuvenated, with two changes to their lineup. In the 47th minute, away team debutant Ivo Rodrigues shot straight at Rui Silva.

It wasn't enough to scare Os Leões: in the 52nd minute, Gyökeres completed his hat-trick with an outstanding free kick. The Swedish striker delivered a piledriver into the net and scored his 90th goal for the club, in his second season in Portugal.

Four minutes later, and completely unexpectedly, Moreirense FC managed to reduce the deficit through Cédric Teguia, who appeared at the far post to convert a cross from Godfried Frimpong.

Moreirense FC were motivated by the Cameroonian's goal and were very close to making it 3-2 in the 60th minute, but Yan Maranhão's header grazed the woodwork on its way out.

On 68 minutes, another huge ovation arrived, as Pedro Gonçalves made his home return from a long-term injury.

After a lull in play, an excellent move by Catamo woke the action up, then Trincão combined with Gonçalves for a shot across, blocked by Kewin.

Borgesthen brought on Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Reis and Iván Fresneda for the final minutes, and the Spaniard came close to scoring with a lob over Kewin, but the result remained the same.

Sporting CP took a deserved 3-1 triumph, as they continue in the driving seat in the title race.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Zeno Debast (Iván Fresneda, 84’), Viktor Gyökeres, Francisco Trincão (Ricardo Esgaio, 84’), Maxi Araújo (Matheus Reis, 84’), Geny Catamo, Gonçalo Inácio, Ousmane Diomande, Morten Hjulmand [C], Geovany Quenda (Pedro Gonçalves, 68’) and Eduardo Quaresma (Jeremiah St. Juste, 68’).