The team rack up their latest Liga Portugal win

Sporting Clube de Portugal won their Monday night fixture at home to Moreirense FC 3-0, continuing their strong form in Liga Portugal. The goals came in the final quarter-hour from Luis Suárez, Pedro Gonçalves and Fotis Ioannidis

On a cold night, befitting the beginning of autumn, Rui Borges made three changes to the Sporting Clube de Portugal starting lineup: Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, and Maxi Araújo replaced Georgios Vagiannidis, Zeno Debast, and Ricardo Mangas.

The first half was a one-sided affair, with Sporting CP looking for goals and Moreirense FC trying to stifle their advances with timewasting tactics. However, there were still chances for the hosts: The first danger came in the 2nd minute, when Zeno Debast found Luis Suárez with a superb pass. The Colombian striker was only denied a goal thanks to André Ferreira's superb save.

Shortly after, Suárez tried his luck again, but the goalkeeper made another save —as he did again in the 12th minute, this time from a Georgios Vagiannidis attempt. Later in that same minute, Gonçalves magically found Suárez, and the centre forward, after rounding André Ferreira, had his shot cleared off the line by Gilberto Batista.

Sporting CP continued to pressure the visitors and inched closer to scoring. Vagiannidis forced another save from André Ferreira, Francisco Trincão curled a shot just wide, and Pedro Gonçalves tried to surprise the goalkeeper with a lob, but to no avail.

In the 24th minute, Suárez once again dribbled past the goalkeeper and shot, but his finish was kept out by the post. Gonçalves also came close with a powerful shot that deflected off Suárez, but André Ferreira reacted to stop.

Before halftime, Trincão's cross ended in an acrobatic shot by Geovany Quenda, although the first period would end 0-0.

The intensity dropped in the second half, with Sporting CP threatening Moreirense FC less frequently. In term, the visitors continued their strategy of anti-football tactics.

In the 54th minute, Rui Borges took off Giorgi Kochorashvili and Ricardo Mangas to bring on Hidemasa Morita and Maxi Araújo.

Shortly after coming on, the Uruguayan was set up by Luis Suárez's backheel. Araújo took out two defenders at once and shot wide with his weaker foot.

In the 69th minute, Gonçalves's well-placed shot tested André Ferreira, who parried out for a corner.

Time was running out, but with just over 15 minutes remaining, Trincão was brought down in the box and referee Hélder Carvalho awarded a penalty.

Called upon to convert, Suárez sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and grabbed his fourth goal of the season.

Fotis Ioannidis replaced Suárez in the 79th minute, and moments later there was a near-perfect counterattack, which ended with Morita passing to Quenda. He teed up Gonçalves, who only failed to score because André Ferreira once again got to the ball.

Araújo and Gonçalves also had shots blocked, before Trincão was fouled again in the Moreirense FC box. This time, conversion duties fell to Gonçalves, who doubled the lead.

With the victory virtually assured, Alisson Santos and João Simões came on to replace Trincão and Gonçalves, and the Brazilian winger made his presence felt in the 94th minute, providing the assist for Fotis Ioannidis’ first goal for Sporting CP.

After the 3-0 win, the team travel to GD Estoril Praia on Saturday at 8:30 pm.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GR], Georgios Vagiannidis, Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Mangas (Maxi Araújo, 54'), Morten Hjulmand [C], Giorgi Kochorashvili (Hidemasa Morita, 54'), Geovany Quenda, Francisco Trincão (Alisson Santos, 90+1'), Pedro Gonçalves (João Simões, 90+1') and Luis Suárez (Fotis Ioannidis, 79').