Geny Catamo decides the game against AFS in extra time (3-2)

Sporting CP's earned a 3-2 win over AFS after extra time, moving on in the Taça de Portugal.

A first goal from new signing Luís Guilherme and an own goal by AFS paved the way for a victory which seemed straightforward, but two penalties put the opposition back in contention and forced extra time. The solution for Sporting CP came from the bench, with Geny Catamo scoring the winner in the 117th minute.

To overcome João Henriques' struggling AFS, bottom of the league and still without a win, coach Rui Borges opted for a starting XI full of changes compared to the side fielded at home against CD Nacional: Only Eduardo Quaresma, Luís Guilherme and Luis Suárez retained their spots, joined by new faces including the return to the starting lineup of Gonçalo Inácio, Morten Hjulmand and Francisco Trincão, and also the inclusion of João Virgínia, Georgios Vagiannidis, Ricardo Mangas, Giorgi Kochorashvili and Daniel Bragança. Nuno Santos began the game on the bench, and in the 77th minute, at Alvalade, made his long-awaited return to action for the first team for the first time since October 26th, 2024.

From the beginning, Trincão and Luís Guilherme – on the left and right, respectively – began to give options in attack, but neither of them could find a target for their low crosses. The two wingers were also the protagonists with Sporting CP's first shots, and while the Brazilian's effort was blocked, the Portuguese international's effort went wide.

AFS showed more accuracy, creating cross-shot opportunities for Guilherme Neiva and Leonardo Rivas with just a few touches, but both shots went straight to goalkeeper Virgínia. 

As the half-hour mark approached, Sporting CP stepped on the gas and took a 1-0 lead.

First, Simão Bertelli denied Suárez, who had brilliantly feinted past the last defender to break into the area, but on the very next move the ball ended up in the back of the net, thanks to a moment of quality. Hjulmand passed to Luís Guilherme, and the he cut inside from the right and shot beyond the goalkeeper's reach for his first goal for the club.

Having secured the lead, Sporting CP remained completely in control and picked up the pace near halftime. A beautiful combination between Suárez and Trincão played through the Colombian striker, who was bested by Simão Bertelli, and on the rebound the AFS goalkeeper put the ball against the post. Suárez headed back into the heart of the penalty area, and it was Kochorashvili who struck the woodwork with a resounding thud.

Shortly after the restart, in the 49th minute. Luís Guilherme combined with Mangas, who ran into the area on the left. His low cross ended up finding a deflection off the defender, despite Suárez's attempted backheel, to send the ball in and make it 2-0. 

Suárez then tried an artistic flick, and the ball didn't go far from the target.

Although the game was completely under control, a slipup in the defense opened the way for a rare AFS attack that culminated with Hjulmand going to ground to block a dangerous shot. The referee reviewed the images, called a handball by the Sporting CP captain and awarded a penalty, which was promptly converted by Pedro Lima.

Borges made the first substitutions, bringing on 'Pote' and João Simões for Bragança and Kochorashvili.

On 77 minutes, a resounding standing ovation from the entire stadium was given, as Nuno Santos returned to Alvalade. The number 11 was immediately active, and Pedro Gonçalves's finish to his well-measured cross went just over the bar.

New signing Souleymane Faye also added more minutes to his playing time, coming off the bench.

The match continhed without incident until practically the final whistle, when a second VAR review thwarted the plans. Another penalty was awarded to AFS, this time for a foul by Vagiannidis, giving the experienced Nené the chance to convert and make it 2-2.

During stoppage time, there was a great chance for each side: Oscar Perea and João Simões both lacked success in their finishing. 

In extra time, Maxi Araújo was introduced in place of Mangas. Sporting CP came out strong and Suárez even found the net, but the goal was immediately disallowed for offside. Before the 105th minute, the Colombian also threatened with a header, but a defender cleared the attempt.

Geny Catamo was Rui Borges' final roll of the dice from the bench. He only failed to have an immediate effect because Suárez could not quite turn in the Mozambican's superb assist.

Simão Bertelli made saves from Simões and Suárez, but the goalkeeper could do nothing about Geny Catamo's winning strike, after he snaked from right to left and pulled the trigger.

Sporting CP now move on to the semifinal stage of the Taça de Portugal, facing FC Porto across two legs.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Georgios Vagiannidis (Geny Catamo, 106'), Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Mangas (Maxi Araújo, 95'), Morten Hjulmand [C], Giorgi Kochorashvili (João Simões, 68'), Luís Guilherme (Souleymane Faye, 87'), Daniel Bragança (Pedro Gonçalves, 68'), Francisco Trincão (Nuno Santos, 77'), Luis Suárez