Sporting CP go through against FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal reached the final of the Taça de Portugal with a 0-0 draw away to FC Porto, as a 1-0 victory in the first leg of the semi-finals took the team through.

The Clássico at the Estádio do Dragão marked the return of Geovany Quenda to Rui Borges' starting lineup, in the only change made by the coach.

Seeking to overturn the aggregate score, it was FC Porto that took the initiative in the opening minutes of the match, although without creating dangerous opportunities.

On 5 minutes, with Sporting CP struggling to get into the opposing half, Borges was forced to make a change: Gonçalo Inácio cleared an attack down the right, but was injured in a collision with William Gomes and ended up being replaced by Zeno Debast.

Despite the setback, Sporting CP managed to progressively balance out possession. On 23 minutes, alone in a central area, FC Porto’s Deniz Gül tried to trouble Rui Silva, but the ball flew over.

Looking to break through the lines on the counterattack, Sporting CP also threatened shortly after, in the 26th minute, but Quenda arrived a little late to the cross and couldn't finish the attack spearheaded by Catamo on the opposite flank.

FC Porto had an excellent opportunity to open the scoring in the 43rd minute. Debast's spectacular clearance from the ground deflected a shot from Gabri Veiga that looked destined for goal.

Seconds before halftime, and following a persistent attack that began with a through ball, the home team again put Sporting CP to the test. Latching onto the second ball, Pablo Rosario unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the area that went over.

Upon returning to the field for the second half, Rui Borges immediately faced another challenge. In the 50th minute, captain Morten Hjulmand requested a change due to discomfort, and made way for Daniel Bragança in midfield.

FC Porto, who continued to dominate the game, tried unsuccessfully to break through the defence: In the 55th minute, William Gomes drove in from the right and shot wide; in the 59th minute, debutant Alan Varela also tried his luck from distance, but without success. Then, in the 65th minute, with the hosts growing stronger, Ousmane Diomande put his body on the line for another great clearance.

Sporting CP responded in the 67th minute with a good move by Francisco Trincão that went off target, and three minutes later it was FC Porto who shook things up: Oskar Pietuszewski made a run and passed to Victor Froholdt at the far post, but he couldn't reach the ball.

In the 79th minute, Borges made a triple substitution to refresh the team and counter the changes made moments earlier on the Porto bench: Pedro Gonçalves, Ricardo Mangas and the returning Luís Guilherme replaced the exhausted Geovany Quenda, Francisco Trincão and Maxi Araújo.

Sporting CP entered the final minutes of the game aware of the need to defend well, only allowing danger in the 82nd minute when Terem Moffi rose high and headed wide of goal.

With one minute remaining in regulation time, and after a VAR review, Alan Varela was sent off for tripping Luis Suárez.

In the second of nine minutes of added time, Guilherme had the opportunity to kill off the game. Alone in front of Diogo Costa, the winger was thwarted by the goalkeeper, and the uncertainty continued until the final whistle. Sporting CP managed to hold onto the advantage they had from Alvalade and secured their place in the final of the competition.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GR], Eduardo Quaresma, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio (Zeno Debast, 10’), Maxi Araújo (Ricardo Mangas, 79’), Morten Hjulmand [C] (Daniel Bragança, 50’), Hidemasa Morita, Francisco Trincão (Luís Guilherme, 79’), Geny Catamo, Luis Suárez e Geovany Quenda (Pedro Gonçalves, 79’). Treinador: Rui Borges. Disciplina: cartão amarelo para Morten Hjulmand (34’), Rui Silva (83’), Ricardo Mangas (90+6’).