The forward scores an injury time winner for a 2-1 triumph

Sporting CP returned to Liga Portugal action with a 1-2 victory over FC Arouca on Matchday 19, as the in-form Luis Suárez scored a 96th minute winner to earn all three points. The striker repeated his brace from the fantastic Champions League triumph over Paris Saint-Germain to cap a memorable week.

To overcome a struggling FC Arouca side who had earned eight points from the last 17 in play, coach Rui Borges made two changes to the starting XI from the game against PSG. Captain Morten Hjulmand returned from back-to-back suspensions in domestic and European competition, and replaced Hidemasa Morita, whilst winger Luís Guilherme came in for Ricardo Mangas -whose left-back position was taken up by Maxi Araújo.

The biggest news, however, came on the bench, with Ousmane Diomande and Pedro Gonçalves back available.

Thee game began with Sporting CP taking control and their attacks gradually gaining momentum. Suárez made the first foray into the area, followed by Geny Catamo's weak shot that was easily saved by Ignacio De Arruabarrena.

Two low crosses almost caused more harm, but FC Arouca managed defensive clearances in time. Around the 20-minute mark, Sporting CP upped the pressure: A pass from Gonçalo Inácio set up Suárez, who successfully rounded the goalkeeper, but when he tried to set himself up to finish, the angle narrowed and he shot wide.

Although they maintained dominance, Sporting CP lacked some sharpness, and looked for more offensive unpredictability by switching positions. Luís Guilherme moved from the left to the right, Francisco Trincão was pushed to the left, and Catamo slipped inside, closer to the striker. After Trincão shot over the bar from a good position, FC Arouca attacked for the first time, and Barbero's deflected effort off-target was promptly ruled offside.

Then, almost immediately afterwards, Luis Suárez came up with the opening goal. The forward, who has scored in five of his last six games, broke the deadlock in the 35th minute: Maxi Araújo surged down the wing, received the ball near the byline, returned it to the Colombian striker, and Suárez cut inside to fire a powerful drive into the back of the net.

The advantage did not last long into the second half, as only three minutes after the restart FC Arouca sprung a surprise. Naïs Djouahra threatened with a hit that Rui Silva contained, and after that warning a long cross found José Fontán at the far post. He headed the ball down for Barbero's point-blank shot across the line to level.

A second rain shower rain returned for a moment, making the game yet more difficult as the chances evened out. Rui Silva's reflexes were required to deny Djouahra after he escaped his marker, in another dangerous moment.

Sporting CP's immediate reaction came in the form of a wild attempt by Iván Fresneda, and Rui Borges decided to make a substitution. Pedro Gonçalves returned after almost two months out through injury, along with Morita, for Trincão and João Simões.

As the minutes ticked by, FC Arouca tightened their defence even further. Allison Santos and Zeno Debast provided inspiration, albeit without success, and
while in the final stretch it was the home team that first used a corner to threaten. At the other end, Arruabarrena stretched to tip Hjulmand's header over the bar, just six minutes from the conclusion of regulation time.

Sporting CP once again relied on the instinct of Luis Suárez to decide things, and he did so with almost the final kick of the game. Catamo's perfect cross dropped into the area, where the Colombian headed home to make it 1-2.

Before the final whistle, Matheus Reis – who had been substituted for Debast – received a straight red card on the bench following the goal celebrations.

Sporting CP now turn their attention back to the UEFA Champions League, traveling to the Basque Country in Spain this Wednesday to face Athletic Club in the final game of the league phase -which will define their final position and next step in the competition.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis (Zeno Debast, 80’), Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões (Hidemasa Morita, 67’), Geny Catamo, Luís Guilherme (Alisson Santos, 80’), Francisco Trincão (Pedro Gonçalves, 67’), Luis Suárez