FC Porto 1-1 Sporting* 

Renan Ribeiro went from zero to hero once again for Sporting as they edged out FC Porto for the Taça da Liga after a tense game in Braga.

Fernando Andrade looked to have given Porto the trophy when he made the most of Renan’s fumble late in the game but a VAR-assisted Bas Dost penalty took the game to a penalty shootout. Renan’s save from Hernani and Felipe’s miss gave the first silverware of the season to Sporting.

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There was a lot of focus on VAR after the eventful semi-finals in the Estádio Municipal de Braga midweek even resulting in an extra VAR official being assigned for this game. VAR would prove to be a key moment in this game but in less controversial fashion this time.

On the pitch, Porto were without Danilo Pereira from the start as had been expected so Héctor Herrera and Óliver Torres made up the central midfield. Sérgio Conceição’s team had one extra day of rest compared to their opponents, and were looking to finally add the Taça da Liga to their trophy cabinet.

Defender Jérémy Mathieu wasn’t available to Marcel Kezier after picking up an injury in the semi-final shootout win over Braga so André Pinto slotted into his position. Marcos Acuña started at left back with, if rumours are to be believed, the possibility of this being his last game for the club.

There was very little in the way of goalmouth action in the first half but Sporting were perhaps the better of the two sides. Sporting’s high pressing created opportunities on the counter-attack with Nani having an early effort fire over Vaná Alves’ goal.

However the best chance of the first half came from Porto when Acuña lost possession of the ball allowing Jesús Corona to cross but André  Pereira’s close range header fired over Renan Ribeiro’s goal.

Injuries hurt Sporting

The second half started with some almost comical moments in the Sporting defence. André Pinto clashed heads with Moussa Marega that lead to a broken nose for the Sporting defender. Pinto tried to continue but had to be replaced by Radosav Petrovic, the Serbian midfielder the closest thing Marcel Keizer had to a centre-back on the bench.

However, Petrovic immediately preceded to do the very same thing as his colleague resulting in a bloody mess and badly damaged nose that made the Serbian almost a grotesque caricature in Sporting’s back line. Keizer looked like he may have to drop Nemanja Gudelj into defence instead but Petrovic was able to continue after a change of shirt.

If Sporting were the better team of the first half then Porto were certainly the better side in the second. The tired legs of Sporting allowed Brahimi to influence the game more and Porto realised they could find a way through the makeshift Sporting defence.

[To watch the match highlights click on the screen below]

Porto got their deserved goal after Héctor Herrera did well to find space and shoot at Renan from outside the box. The Brazilian goalkeeper, who had been the hero in the shootout against Braga, fumbled the ball which led to it bouncing gratefully for Fernando Andrade to put Porto ahead after 79 minutes gone in the tie.

It looked like the Brazilian’s goal was going to be the difference on the night but VAR would have another say in the outcome of the Taça da Liga this season when, in stoppage time, Óliver Torres challenged Abdoulay Diaby for the ball as Porto tried to clear their lines in a rare second half Sporting attack. The initial foul had been ignored by referee João Pinheiro but the VAR proved to come to Sporting’s aid in a decision that should prove to be considerably less controversial than some of the ones featured in the previous two semi-final games.

So. step up Bas Dost. The Dutch striker missed his last penalty in the shootout against Braga but this time made no mistake of converting and setting up another penalty shootout. Although Raphinha had an effort well saved by Vaná Alves just after the equaliser that could have prevented yet another penalty shootout.

It goes to penalties

Sporting will have been the more confident of the two teams. This time last year Sporting won the trophy after having beating Porto on penalties in the semi-final and subsequently Vitoria FC on penalties in the final. Porto were also eliminated by Sporting in the Taça de Portugal last season by the same method, it was a familiar scenario for Conceição’s men.

Vaná was incredibly close to stopping Bas Dost’s opening penalty but couldn’t get a strong enough hand onto it as Iker Casillas watched on from the bench. Alex Telles stepped up next and converted his spot-kick expertly. Sebastián Coates, Sporting’s best player on the night, blasted his penalty over the bar and into the nearby quarry. Éder Militão looked confident when he stepped up to possibly put Porto in front but his penalty went wide past the post. Bruno Fernandes made no mistake from his next one but Renan Ribeiro made the save to deny substitute Hernâni. Nani struck a good penalty to put all of the pressure on Felipe who had to score to keep Porto in the tie. However the defender’s effort cannoned off the bar to give Sporting the Taça da Liga.

It was a remarkable game that lacked true quality on the pitch but was an absorbing and fascinating encounter. Porto will feel like they did enough to win but the late mistake cost them in the end and so Marcel Keizer picks up his first trophy in Portugal.

by Richard Cole

Porto XI: Vaná Alves; Éder Militão, Felipe, Pepe, Alex Telles; Óliver Torres (Hernâni, 90+4'), Héctor Herrera; Jesús Corona (Danilo Pereira, 82'), Yacime Brahimi; Moussa Marega, André Pereira (Fernando Andrade, 64')

Sporting XI: Renan Ribeiro; Stefan Ristovski, Sebastián Coates, André Pinto (Radosav Petrovic, 53'), Marcos Acuña (Jefferson, 45'); Nemanja Gudelj (Abdoulay Diaby, 83'), Wendel, Bruno Fernandes; Nani, Raphinha, Bas Dost

Goals:

[1-0] Fernando Andrade, 79'
[1-1] Bas Dost (pen), 90+2'

 

Comments (8)

This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Both teams had 2 true goal scoring chances, and both scored 1 of them so a draw is fair result overall in the 96 mins

Sporting better 1st half but without deserving to be leading.

Porto were better 2nd half but ultimately scored through a...

Both teams had 2 true goal scoring chances, and both scored 1 of them so a draw is fair result overall in the 96 mins

Sporting better 1st half but without deserving to be leading.

Porto were better 2nd half but ultimately scored through a goalkeeping error not because they deserve to but were the only team doing anything so Sporting couldn't really complain.

Sporting's penalty came out of nowhere, they didn't do anything 2nd half until they were 1-0 down, But it was a penalty and I don't think anyone can say otherwise without being taken seriously afterwards. O. Torres such a clumsy and late attempt at a fail clearance couldn't complain about the decision made clear contact his the back of the Sporting's player leg and missed the ball completely. That's what the VAR is all about not sure how the Ref didn't blow his whistle as he was literally there, I think he was ball watching rather than looking at the players. Sporting had a slice of luck because I doubt they would've found a way back in that game with only 5 mins left.

And that chance at the very end, what a ball from Bruno F, Porto's keeper must be congratulated as that was a good reaction to close down the shot.

Sporting 4th win in a row in penalty shootout in two Semis and two Finals just says it all really it was destiny, Porto v Sporting reminded me of England v Portugal in penalties.

Renan Ribeiro was the one who won the Taca with his fine saving in the Semis and this time again in the Final even if it was just 1 save which proved to be just enough.

Now comes the end, the complete disrespect that Conceição showed and I am 100% that it wasn't the players or even staff or president, this wasn't PORTO showing disrespect to Sporting and football in general it was all Conceição who took his team off without congratulating Sporting on their way up to the Taca you could see in his behaviour before they even went up to get the runners up medals, I could understand if it was a bullshit penalty or if Porto had a clean goal disallowed but there wasn't but there simply was none of that so this was just a very extremely sore loser reaction on Conceição's behalf, such lack of respect and lack of sportsmanship not only to Sporting but in the sport of Football

Not even Jorge Jesus would disrespect his opponents like that and thats saying something. Shit I don't even think Jose Mourinho in his most salty of days would do something like that.

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Joao
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Joao, agree with almost everything you said. Conceicao has no class and never will!!! However Jesus did the same with Benfica when they played Guimaraes no estadio national for Portuguese cup, actually walked out of the field without picking up...

Joao, agree with almost everything you said. Conceicao has no class and never will!!! However Jesus did the same with Benfica when they played Guimaraes no estadio national for Portuguese cup, actually walked out of the field without picking up their medals!!! so both coaches are sore losers and a bad image for Portugal football!!!!

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antonio
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Been quite some time since I’ve posted haha.

Naturally as a Benfica fan I was rooting for them, but with them out this was a good match to watch for a neutral. In the end I think the result reflected the games occurences with a 1-1. Once you...

Been quite some time since I’ve posted haha.

Naturally as a Benfica fan I was rooting for them, but with them out this was a good match to watch for a neutral. In the end I think the result reflected the games occurences with a 1-1. Once you hit the shootout it’s anyone’s guess.

Congratulations to Sporting for their victory. It’s quite remarkable how they picked themselves up right after what happened last season. Massive respect.

Good luck during the rest of the season to all the title challengers. Hopefully decisions come down to last match day as that’s just a joy to watch!

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Nunogomes21
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Proud of Sporting, played like warriors to win
Despite injuries to Andre pinto and Petrovic during the match.

Sérgio Conceição has zero class , he is a good fit for the entire organization of FC Porto.

Sporting was always the team of the boa...

Proud of Sporting, played like warriors to win
Despite injuries to Andre pinto and Petrovic during the match.

Sérgio Conceição has zero class , he is a good fit for the entire organization of FC Porto.

Sporting was always the team of the boa gente, BDC was a loose cannon, but Varandas is bringing class back to the club.

Sporting would no doubt be higher in the league if it were not for their constant injury struggles, Porto has been fortunate in this regard.

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—-Z—-
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Congrats to Sporting. They hung in and did the job on penalties. Credit where credit is due.

Not worth commenting on the Sporting fans criticizing Porto and Conceicao when 6 months ago your President and fan club attacked the squad.

Irony is...

Congrats to Sporting. They hung in and did the job on penalties. Credit where credit is due.

Not worth commenting on the Sporting fans criticizing Porto and Conceicao when 6 months ago your President and fan club attacked the squad.

Irony is apparently lost on some people. Having a President who was a potty mouth, sanctioned his own team to be attacked, among other crap is apparently the same thing as not congratulating the winning team. Hilarious.

Z, it gives me great pleasure to know that no matter what, even in moments of victory, your misery and envy of other teams doesn't allow you the simple joys of fandom.

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Chris
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Now back to the league title race between Porto, and uhmm, Porto?

Danny DaSilva
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SPORTING! Awesome to see my team winning again! End of last season and the summer was very trying for us all. I was a lil worried about whether we would thrive moving forward but we proved to do just that and the club is alive and well! This club...

SPORTING! Awesome to see my team winning again! End of last season and the summer was very trying for us all. I was a lil worried about whether we would thrive moving forward but we proved to do just that and the club is alive and well! This club is incredible and Varandas Hugo Viana Keizer and co have been doing a great job! Winning this cup is a massive boost and we've strengthened really well this winter transfer window as well, so putting all that together Sporting is set to have an awesome second half to the season! This is just the beginning! Proud of this great club Sporting Clube de Portugal! FORCA SPORTING!

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Eddie
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Lol @ Chris. "No need to comment on Sporting fans" followed by 3 paragraphs of comments. Porto for life haha

Joseph
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