Sporting CP fall 1-2 to FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal suffered a 1-2 defeat against FC Porto on Liga Portugal Matchday 4, as two goals against the run of play in the second half saw their rivals snatch victory.

For the game, played in front of 50,000 fans at the Estádio José Alvalade, Rui Borges made only one change to his starting lineup, with Giorgi Kochorashvili replacing Hidemasa Morita. Matheus Reis returned on the bench.

After Morten Hjulmand was honoured for reaching 100 appearances with Sporting CP, receiving a commemorative jersey from president Frederico Varandas, O Clássico got underway.

Almost immediately, FC Porto had a goalscoring opportunity, as Borja Sainz hit the post. A subsequent William Gomes' long-range shot was easily saved by goalkeeper Rui Silva, and Sporting CP responded in the ninth minute with an effort of their own: Luis Suárez received a throw-in from Ricardo Mangas and curled a shot just wide of goal. Shortly after, Ricardo Mangas fired over the crossbar off a scramble.

In the 14th minute, Suárez stole the ball from an opposition defender in the FC Porto box and passed to Francisco Trincão, whose strike was blocked. At the other end, Luuk de Jong's shot was held by Rui Silva, and Victor Froholdt sent the ball out off Morten Hjulmand.

Sporting CP managed to mount a very dangerous counterattack in the 21st minute, as Suárez set up Pedro Gonçalves and a defender intervened. FC Porto's William Gomes tried his luck again on the half-hour mark, with Rui Silva saving.

Both Victor Froholdt and Rodrigo Mora shot off-target in the following moves, while Alan Varela tried his luck from distance.

Geny Catamo, played through at pace by Iván Fresneda, advanced into the Porto box and was brought down by Francisco Moura, but referee João Gonçalves waved play on, no penalty was given, and the first half ended 0-0.

The second half opened with Sporting CP dominating again, pushing FC Porto back. High pressing forced a mistake in the opposition's build-up play in the 48th minute, allowing Kochorashvili an opportunity that he put wide.

Suárez also failed to keep a shot between the posts, as his hit was deflected out.

Hjulmand had a header and Trincão forced Diogo Costa into a save, as the chances continued to mount. However, against the tide, FC Porto scored a goal from out of nowhere, through Luuk de Jong.

Rui Borges responded by bringing on Georgios Vagiannidis and Geovany Quenda, replacing Iván Fresneda and Geny Catamo.

FC Porto immediately scored again, this time through William Gomes. In the blink of an eye, Sporting CP rather unfairly trailed 0-2.

Conrad Harder replaced Kochorashvili in the 67th minute, and Sporting CP began to put pressure on their opponents again. In the 70th minute, Quenda worked his way excellently down the right and sent the ball into the middle of the box, requiring Diogo Costa to step in.

Sporting CP finally got a goal in the 74th minute: Gonçalo Inácio found Ricardo Mangas, who tried to set up Harder, and the FC Porto defence sent the ball into their own net.

Spurred on by the goal, they continued to attack. A venomous cross from Geovany Quenda nearly led to another own goal in the 77th minute. Then, in the 84th minute, Suárez's shot was saved by Diogo Costa.

The Colombian threatened further two minutes later, when he smashed a shot that needed a great save from the opposition goalkeeper. Ricardo Mangas then headed wide.

Hjulmand's shot over the bar and a few attacks near the FC Porto box rounded off the game, which concluded in a harsh loss for Sporting CP.

After the international break, the team travel to take on FC Famalicão.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Geny Catamo (Geovany Quenda, 63'), Ivan Fresneda (Georgios Vagiannidis, 63'), Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Mangas, Morten Hjulmand [C], Giorgi Kochorashvili (Conrad Harder 67'), Francisco Trincao, Pedro Gonçalves (Alisson Santos, 89') and Luis Suárez.