Second-gear Sporting beat Estoril 3-0 to maintain perfect record

Sporting continued their so far blemish-free defence of their Primeira Liga title with a seventh straight victory, away at Estoril tonight.

First-half goals by Geny Catamo and Morita reflected the away team’s utter domination.

It was a more even affair after the break, but the result was never in doubt and Daniel Bragança’s late strike put the icing on the cake for the Lions.

Tom Kundert reports from the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota. 

Key midfielders out for Estoril

Estoril were without experienced midfield duo João Carvalho and Xeka, both injured, while in comparison to last weekend’s match at Rio Ave André Lacximicant also missed out, dropping to the bench, as Jandro Orellano, Fabrício Garcia and Alejandro Marques came into the starting XI.

For Sporting, despite Conrad Harder’s excellent full debut last week, the young Dane found himself on the bench, along with usual starter Geovany Quenda as coach Rúben Amorim opted to hand Maxi Araújo his full debut on the left wing, with Geny Catamo switching flanks and replacing Quenda at right wing-back.

As expected, Sporting were straight on the attack, applying considerable pressure on Estoril from the kick off. Trincão fired a free kick narrowly over the bar, Morita was denied by a sliding block from the impressive Kévin Boma and Trincão headed just over from a fine Maxi Araújo cross.

Estoril at last broke through the shackles of Sporting’s offensive gameplan as Fabrício Garcia looked set to run clear at goal but Debast did enough to put the striker off and the chance was gone.

Quickfire double

On 25 minutes Sporting took the lead. Matheus Reis lent his weight to attack and showed lovely footwork to beat his man in an advanced position before playing a perfect pass into the path of Geny Catamo who produced a cool finish low into the net.

The lead was soon doubled. Francisco Trincão raced onto a pass down the right flank and cut back the ball to allow Morita a simple finish from close range.

The lively Trincão was unlucky not to score a third goal just before half time, the attacking midfielder racing onto a neat backheel by Gyökeres and curling an effort past the diving Joel Robles only to see the ball thump the post and bounce back into play.

Estoril coach Ian Cathro brought on fellow Scot Jordan Holsgrove at the break, replacing Jando Orellana. 

Estoril rally

It was a different match in the second half. Although Sporting were likely conserving energy ahead of their Champions League appointment with PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday, it is no less true that the hosts improved considerably, stringing together several pleasing passing moves and blocking Sporting’s attacking incursions far more effectively.

In the 56th minute Estoril were a whisker away from pulling a goal back, Matheus Reis getting a vital touch to a low cross to prevent a certain goal for Alejandro Marqués.

On 75 minutes a significant substitution took place as Viktor Gyökeres was replaced by Geovany Quenda, signalling the end to the Swede’s incredible 9-match scoring streak for club and country.

Estoril threatened again in the 78th minute, a dribble into the box and shot by substitute Lacximicant at last giving Sporting goalkeeper Franco Israel a reason to dirty his shorts.

Bragança has the last word

Play immediately switched to the other end of the pitch, a dangerous cross skidding across the Estoril box and when the ball was recycled Bragança worked room for himself to shoot but his effort was deflected wide for a corner.

Bragança would not be denied though, the midfielder collecting a short pass from Trincão and firing low into the net from 20 yards, although Robles will feel he should have done better in his attempt to keep it out.

Sporting have now scored three or more goals in 6 of their 7 Liga victories and have not conceded a goal in any of their last 6 games in all competitions.

Analysis: unsung heroes shine for Sporting, green shoots of hope for Estoril

Sporting’s sensational start to 2024/25 continues apace, with another resounding victory in Estoril tonight without having to be anywhere near their best.

It was a match in which some of Sporting’s lesser lights shone. Man-of-the-match Matheus Reis was outstanding both when carrying out his defensive duties and when contributing to the attack, the ever-dependable Morita was excellent, and substitute Bragança lifted the visitors from their second-half torpor when he came on.

Gyökeres had his quietest game thus far of the campaign and a lot of credit must go to 21-year-old Estoril centre-back Kévin Boma, who didn’t give him an inch all night. The tall defender bought from French Ligue 2 club Rodez looks a tremendous prospect and explains why the experienced Eliaquim Mangala is on the bench.

That was not the only good news for Estoril, their spirited second-half performance against undoubtedly the best team in Portugal right now, in conjunction with improved recent displays, auguring for a brighter future this season than looked likely after a poor start.

Sporting: Franco Israel, Geny Catamo, Ousmane Diomande, Zeno Debast (Eduardo Quaresma, 83’), Nuno Santos, Maxi Araújo (Conrad Harder, 58’), Matheus Reis (Gonçalo Inácio, 58’), Morten Hjulmand (Daniel Bragança, 58’), Hidemasa Morita, Francisco Trincão, Viktor Gyökeres (Geovany Quenda, 75’)

Estoril Praia: Joel Robles, Wagner Pina, Pedro Álvaro, Kévin Boma, Pedro Amaral (Gonçalo Costa, 83’), Jandro Orellana (Jordan Holsgrove, 46’), Michel Costa, Vinícius Zanocelo, Fabrício Garcia (André Lacximicant, 72’), Alejandro Marqués, Yanis Begraoui (Israel Salazar, 72’)

Goals:

[0-1] Geny Catamo, 25’

[0-2] Hidemasa Morita, 31’

[0-3] Daniel Bragança, 90’ +1’