Sporting CP score a late equaliser against FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 1-1 away against FC Porto on Liga Portugal Matchday 21, as Luis Suárez hit another stoppage time goal to earn his team a share of the points.

As the top two teams faced each other in a Monday showdown, coach Rui Borges made several changes to his starting lineup from the Taça de Portugal match against AFS: João Virgínia, Georgios Vagiannidis, Eduardo Quaresma, Ricardo Mangas, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Luís Guilherme and Daniel Bragança were replaced by Rui Silva, Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Maxi Araújo, Hidemasa Morita, Geny Catamo and Pedro Gonçalves.

It was a very rainy and foggy night at the Estádio do Dragão, but Sporting CP began with clarity, dominating possession and passing the ball around well. The first dangerous attack came in the 9th minute, when FC Porto's clearance was responded to by Gonçalves and then blocked.

Both teams took a cautious approach, without clear chances in the areas. The closest that Sporting CP came to breaking into the box was a Suárez pass to Gonçalves, but the last defender intercepted to stop 'Pote' going through on goal. In response, Alan Varela shot wide of the post for FC Porto.

In the 24th minute, Catamo tried to finish off another counter-attack, but his shot lacked accuracy. Shortly after, Gonçalves used a clever touch to free Fresneda, and he in turn tried to set up a teammate unsuccessfully. At the other end, from a long way out, Alberto Costa missed the target close to the 40-minute mark.

The final minutes of the first half saw a slight lift in Sporting CP's play, which translated into an excellent move in stoppage time: Maxi Araújo exchanged passes with Francisco Trincão before crossing into the area, where neither Suárez nor Catamo managed to turn the ball in.

The score remained 0-0 at halftime in O Clássico.

Just like at the start of the match, Sporting CP started the second half better, pressing high and eager to have the ball. They won several corner kicks in the opening minutes, although without creating much danger from them. FC Porto focused more on defending solidly and beginning counter-attacks. On 57 minutes, Fresneda managed go get a shot off, but the ball deflected off an opposition player and Diogo Costa made an easy save.

The match then lost intensity and speed, with the ball rarely leaving the midfield areas and a lack of chances.

Unexpectedly, FC Porto took the lead at 77' through Seko Fofana, after a persistent attack.

Immediately afterwards, Rui Borges substituted Hidemasa Morita, replacing him with Luís Guilherme.

Sporting CP began to search for the equaliser and came very close to achieving it on 82', when Francisco Trincão shot just wide.

Geny Catamo and Pedro Gonçalves were switched out for Daniel Bragança and Souleymane Faye.

Luís Guilherme also tried his luck on goal, but missed the target, and Sporting CP had another great chance in the 90+7th minute, which Morten Hjulmand only failed to score because Alan Varela made a reaction save.

However, following the recent trend of Sporting CP goals in stoppage time, the team won a penalty due to a handball in the 98th minute. Suárez stepped up to take the spot kick, and although his shot was saved by Diogo Costa, he put away the rebound to make it 1-1. It was the Colombian's 26th goal of the 2025/26 season.

The game ended 1-1, leaving Sporting CP still 4 points behind FC Porto in the title race.

The defending champions will play again on Sunday, hosting FC Famalicão at Alvalade in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (Luís Guilherme, 79'), Geny Catamo (Daniel Bragança, 84'), Pedro Gonçalves (Souleymane Faye, 84'), Francisco Trincão and Luis Suárez.