Sporting keep the dream alive in Porto

Sporting overcame the most difficult of their remaining fixtures to keep the pressure on Benfica with a 3-1 over Porto at the Dragão in what was an entertaining and end-to-end match.

Islam Slimani opened the scoring for the visitors before Hector Herrera equalised from the penalty spot. Slimani scored again just before the restart with substitute Bruno César given a gift of a goal from Iker Casillas.

Often in recent years a fixture between Porto and Sporting this late on in the season has been a huge game for one of these clubs chasing the title. But it is not usually Sporting doing the chasing and Porto playing for pride and to rebuild confidence. At the Estádio do Dragão, that is exactly what was occurring.

Porto in their last two games have improved over the team that has suffered some embarrassing results in the last few months and José Peseiro, trying his best to steady the ship, made a few changes from the side that beat Académica last time out. Iker Casillas replaced Helton and Chidozie Awaziem started in defence meaning Rúben Neves was sacrificed in midfield so Danilo Pereira could move further forward. Yacine Brahimi also started ahead of Silvestre Varela. For Jorge Jesus, Bryan Ruiz returned in the place of Bruno César in what was an otherwise familiar Sporting XI in recent months.

Within the first 7 minutes of the game both sides had missed golden opportunities to grab an early lead.

After a mix up in the Porto area, João Mário found himself with the ball dropping to his feet at point blank range with only Casillas to beat. However, the midfielder's reaction shot went clear of the bar. Just 2 minutes later José Ángel crossed for Hector Herrera at close range. Rui Patrício managed to get a touch on the Mexican's shot which hit the inside of the post and returned to the grateful hands of Patrício.

Of the two sides, it was Porto who had settled the better with Sporting's defence looking nervous. Vincent Aboubakar had a good chance but it was Sporting who opened the scoring.

Islam Slimani breaks the deadlock

It was some fantastic play from João Mário on the right-hand side that set the goal up. The Portuguese midfielder nutmegged Ángel and then drove into the Porto box and set up Islam Slimani for an easy finish. It was Slimani's 5th goal in a clássico this season, proving just how important he has been.

The Algerian almost made it two when Ezequiel Schelotto's ball found him in a similar to position as the first goal. However, this time Iker Casillas was there to make a key save.

Porto equalise from the spot

And how Sporting regretted that as just a minute later Sebastián Coates was adjudged to have fouled Yacine Brahimi. Replays showed it was soft decision by the referee. Certainly, Brahimi was playing for the penalty and Coates made only the slightest contact. Hector Herrera made no mistake from the spot though, sending Patrício the wrong way to equalise for the home team. On the run of play, a draw was about right.

It looked like both sides were going to go into the break level. However, Bryan Ruiz, who had not had the best of games trying to get the most of Maxi Pereira, finally managed to get a cross in from the left-hand side. Islam Slimani's header made it 2-1 to the visitors. A crucial time to score.

Porto did not let their heads drop despite the setback and after the break they had two fantastic chances to draw level again in quick succession.

First, just minutes after the restart, Porto got some joy down the right side through Jesús Corona. The ball fell to Maxi Pereira but his shot from close range was straight at the Sporting goalkeeper. A few minutes later Sérgio Oliveira had a freekick from long range. The midfielder's strike was fantastic, hitting the crossbar and giving the visitors another scare.

That was nothing compared to the next scare when Coates bundled Aboubakar over in the area. However, despite this certainly being a far clearer penalty, it was not given by Artur Soares Dias.

Just after that, in the 69th minute, Sporting showed they were still a threat. A corner found that once again Porto were unable to deal with Islam Slimani in the air. Fortunately for them Iker Casillas made a fantastic save to prevent the Algerian from bagging a hat-trick.

Sporting seal the win

However, Casillas' athletic save will be forgotten as he was at fault for Sporting's third of the night. Another piece of classy play from João Mário put substitute Bruno César through on goal. The Brazilian's shot should have forced a routine save from the Spaniard, however, it wriggled under the goalkeeper and tricked disparagingly over the line to seal the game for the visitors.

With 3rd position secured and little to play for Porto will be eager for this season to end having now suffered 7 defeats in the league. They should take pride from this performance in a very entertaining game of football. If they had managed to keep Islam Slimani and the elusive João Mário under control the result could have been very different.

The victory for Sporting made it the first time Sporting have managed two wins over Porto in the league in 40 years, and the first time the Lions have won at the Dragão in the league for 9 seasons. They have the chance to really put the pressure on Benfica next week if they beat Vitória de Setúbal at Alvalade the day before the league leaders travel to face Marítimo.

by Richard Cole

Video highlights of FC Porto 1-3 Sporting

 

Porto XI: Iker Casillas; Maxi Pereira, Bruno Martins Indi, Chidozie Awaziem (André Silva, 84'), José Ángel; Danilo Pereira, Sérgio Oliveira (André André, 61'), Héctor Herrera; Jesús Corona (Silvestre Varela, 68'), Yacine Brahimi, Vincent Aboubakar

Sporting XI: Rui Patrício; Ezequiel Schelotto, Sebastián Coates, Rúben Semedo, Marvin Zeegelaar; William Carvalho, Adrien Silva, João Mário (Paulo Oliveira, 90+3'); Bryan Ruiz (Gelson Martins, 90'), Teófilo Gutiérrez (Bruno César, 81'), Islam Slimani

Goals:
[0-1] Islam Slimani 23'
[1-1] Hector Herrera 35'
[1-2] Islam Slimani 44'
[1-3] Bruno César, 84'