The team win 4-1 in their Friday friendly in the Algarve

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated Nottingham Forest 4-1 in a friendly held on Friday evening. Gonçalo Inácio scored in the first half, and Issa Doumbia and Rafael Nel (with a brace) were on song in the second half at the Estádio Algarve.

Rui Borges made changes to the starting lineup used in the Troféu Cinco Violinos against AS Monaco, as Rui Silva, Gonçalo Inácio, Silas Andersen, and Fotis Ioannidis were the new additions to the XI.

Nottingham Forest took the lead early. Just two minutes in, Chris Wood's shot was saved by Rui Silva, and on the rebound, Igor Jesus found himself in front of goal and able to finish to make it 0-1.

Sporting CP reacted and threatened for the first time in the 6th minute, when Rodrigo Zalazar’s powerful shot from outside the area forced Matz Sels to make a save for a corner. At the other end, Morgan Gibbs-White almost went through one-on-one with Rui Silva, but Georgios Vagiannidis made a great interception to cut out the danger.

Taking advantage of the characteristics of the powerful Chris Wood, a specialist target man with his back to goal, Nottingham Forest sent balls up towards the forward. In response, Sporting CP had several opportunities from different strategies. Another shot from outside the box involved Issa Doumbia trying for goal, but defender Nikola Milenković headed the ball away.

In the confusing move that followed, both Doumbia, Ioannidis and Inácio queued up to strike, and the latter only failed due to Matz Sels’ reaction.

Finally, off a corner kick from Rodrigo Zalazar, captain Inácio headed in to equalise -to the delight of the thousands of Sporting CP fans in attendance.

Nottingham Forest tried to come back through Igor Jesus' header and Morgan Gibbs-White's long-range shot, but both went astray.

Sporting CP had more possession, and also two chances for Maxi Araújo, who took a pair of very dangerous free kicks that could have been followed up by his teammates.

After the break, João Virgínia, Iván Fresneda, and Eduardo Felicíssimo replaced Rui Silva, Vagiannidis, and Inácio, respectively.

New Zealand international Wood started the second half with two shots in quick succession that were cleared by Maxi Araújo off the line. Shortly after, he headed slightly wide at the other end. The clearest chance came in the 52nd minute when Wood squandered an easy opportunity from a mistake by João Virgínia.

In the 58th minute, Geny Catamo set up Rodrigo Zalazar, who looked to assist for Fotis Ioannidis. The obstacle in his way was Matz Sels -and another a brilliant save.

On the hour, Sporting CP finally went in front. Issa Doumbia received a beautiful pass from Zalazar and delivered the most skillful moment of the night, magically taking an opponent out of the equation and finishing with finesse to make it 2-1.

Borges replaced Andersen, Ioannidis and Catamo with Jesse Derry, Rafael Nel and Luís Guilherme, and one of those players helped Sporting CP increase their lead less than five minutes later.

Doumbia took apart the defence again, this time with a spectacular assist that surprised everyone and found Nel's head.

The third Sporting CP goal settled the game down until the final whistle, and preceded more substitutions. Flávio Gonçalves replaced Zalazar and, after a shot off target by Jesse Derry, Maxi Araújo and Issa Doumbia made way for Rodrigo Dias and Pedro Lima.

Nottingham Forest could have reduced the deficit through Igor Jesus, who was denied by João Virgínia, but it was Sporting CP who scored again: Another clever move and a tremendous pass from Flávio Gonçalves met Rafael Nel, who finished with class to make it 4-1.

Pedro Lima gave Matz Sels some trouble and Flávio Gonçalves' dangerous shot went just wide, as the scoreline remained and Sporting CP continued to build confidence for the upcoming season.

Sporting CP start the 2026/27 campaign on August 8th, at 8:30 PM, in Liga Portugal away to CF Estrela da Amadora.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK] (João Virgínia, 45'), Georgios Vagiannidis (Iván Fresneda, 45'), Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio [C] (Eduardo Felicíssimo, 45'), Maxi Araújo (Rodrigo Dias, 79'), Sergi Altimira, Silas Andersen (Jesse Derry, 62'), Geny Catamo (Luís Guilherme, 62'), Rodrigo Zalazar (Flávio Gonçalves, 73'), Issa Doumbia (Pedro Lima, 79') and Fotis Ioannidis (Rafael Nel, 62').