A 2-3 win over FC Paços de Ferreira takes the team into the next round

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated FC Paços de Ferreira 2-3 at the Estádio Capital do Móvel, to advance in the Taça de Portugal. The reigning cup holders were given a stern test in the opening game of their defence of the crown, but managed to claim the victory.

Making five changes to his starting XI from the match against SC Braga, Rui Borges brought in João Virgínia, Ousmane Diomande (appearing or the first time since August 8th), Eduardo Quaresma, Alisson Santos, and Fotis Ioannidis.

The home team created danger early on, and after just two minutes a powerful shot wide from João Caiado from the edge of the box gave Sporting CP a first warning. Relying on physicality and quick transitions, FC Paços de Ferreira showed considerable initiative in the opening moments, and in the sixth minute it was Anilson's turn to aim for goal off a direct free kick. João Virgínia was alert to make a straightforward catch.

Sporting CP's first dangerous chance also came from a set piece, with a venomous Geovany Quenda delivery coming in the ninth minute. His ball in was not quite connected with by Fotis Ioannidis.

Quenda took centre stage for a spell, and a minute later he won a corner for his side. Sporting CP grew into the game and pushed a determined FC Paços de Ferreira back, and in the 11th minute Alisson Santos shot wide. Soon after, Ricardo Mangas looked for goal, following a pass from Ioannidis, but the winger's shot was deflected by Rafael Vieira.

Three minutes later, the Paços de Ferreira defender was once again instrumental, preventing Alisson Santos' shot from the middle of the box from finding its way in.

However, it was the hosts who opened the scoring. In the 18th minute, Rafael Vieira won a tussle in midfield and passed to João Victor, who exchanged passes with Ronaldo Lumungo. The striker found himself in a one-on-one with João Virgínia and fired home to make it 1-0.

Sporting CP reacted well and remained in the opposition half. In the 21st minute, Pedro Gonçalves took advantage of a defensive error by the home team to shoot on goal, but was unable to finish.

In the 22nd minute, Gonçalves made good on his threat with the equaliser. Off a move where his teammates were initially appealing for a penalty for a foul on Ioannidis, the ball fell to the left foot of the Portuguese international, who converted for his sixth goal of the season -tying his tally from the last campaign.

In complete control, all that was preventing Sporting CP from pulling ahead was wasted opportunities: Gonçalves again shot from the edge of the box in the 30th minute, and two minutes later, Alisson Santos also tried his luck.

The home side only threatened again in the 33rd minute, with Costinha getting in behind the defenders to find himself in a dangerous position, although his shot hit Ousmane Diomande.

Chances for Ioannidis and Quenda before the break were saved and went wide, respectively, and despite their dominance the team couldn't translate their 76% possession into further goals

With an unchanged lineup and a layer of fog beginning to descend on the ground, Sporting CP came out sharp in the second half. Less than a minute after the restart, they enjoyed two good chances: First, Ioannidis broke quickly into the centre but couldn't finish off; then, Alisson Santos cut in from the left and shot across goal.

Once again against the run of play,the effective FC Paços de Ferreira took the lead again in the 49th minute. This time, Ronaldo Lumungo arushed in from the right and passed to João Victor, who made it 2-1.

In the 55th minute, Alisson Santos worked his way inside, but his shot did not go in the desired direction.

Francisco Trincão and Iván Fresneda were brought on just before the hour, and this was swiftly followed by an equaliser: Quenda took a precise corner kick, which Fotis Ioannidis headed into the net

In the 73rd minute, Geny Catamo and Zeno Debast were the next players introduced, followed by Luis Suárez five minutes later.

FC Paços de Ferreira withstood the pressure and competently closed down the spaces, and were able to force extra time.

A fatigued Ousmane Diomande was replaced by Matheus Reis for the additional 30 minutes. Just as during regulation time, Sporting CP controlled the game. Gonçalves took a shot in the 91st minute that went off target, then eight minutes later forced the home goalkeeper into a huge save, denying him his brace. That came after a penalty appeal for Sporting CP for handball that had been waved off.

The decisive third goal finally arrived in the 104th minute. Geny Catamo and Iván Fresneda combined well on the right, and the Spaniard crossed into the box, where defender Tiago Ferreira deflected it into his own net.

The second half of extra time was less dramatic, but still lively: in the 107th minute, Miguel Mota burst down the right and shot straight at João Virgínia; in the 111th, he tried again from outside the box, but struck over the bar.

In the 114th minute, Geny Catamo had the final chance, testing Jeimes. There would be no change in the scoreline, and Sporting CP earned their spot in the next round of the Taça de Portugal.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Hidemasa Morita (Francisco Trincão, 58'), Geovany Quenda, Pedro Gonçalves, Georgios Vagiannidis (Iván Fresneda, 58'), Ousmane Diomande (Matheus Reis, 90'), Alisson Santos (Luis Suárez, 79'), Morten Hjulmand [C], Eduardo Quaresma (Zeno Debast, 73'), Fotis Ioannidis, and Ricardo Mangas (Geny Catamo, 73').