Sporting dump Porto out of the Portuguese Cup

Sporting dump Porto out of the Portuguese Cup

FC Porto 1-3 Sporting

Sporting beat Porto at the Estádio do Dragão for the first time since 2007 this afternoon to make progress to the fourth round of the Portuguese Cup and knock the northerners out of the competition.

In an entertaining match Sporting scored from a Marcano own goal, Nani and Carrillo, while Jackson Martínez netted for the Dragons, although the Colombian also missed a penalty.

Porto coach Julen Lopetegui continued his habit of re-jigging his line-up, giving goalkeeper Andrés Fernández, left-back José Ángel and striker Adrián Lopéz rare starts, as well as playing Quintero from the start - a sight seldom seen this season. Opposite number Marco Silva also made changes, with Paulo Oliveira replacing erstwhile first-choice centre-back Sarr, while up front Capel and Montero replaced André Carrillo and Slimani respectively.

Explosive start

Nani nearly gave the visitors a dream start as he burst through the centre and sent a terrific low shot crashing against the post 30 seconds after the referee had blown his whistle for the first time. Porto hit straight back with Jackson Martínez - a constant threat to the Sporting defence - close to giving the home side the lead in the 4th minute.

Both teams continued to attack with purpose and it was Porto who had the next clear opportunity, a fine pass from Herrera setting Adrián free, but Rui Patrício denied the Spaniard and caught Herrera's follow-up header.

Soon afterwards Sporting took the lead. Jonathan whipped in a superb cross from the left touch-line, and Marcano's desperate attempt to prevent Montero reaching the ball resulted in a thumping header into his own net. Porto were soon level, though, as Quintero played a peach of a throughball to Jackson, who produced a classy finish to chip past Patrício and make it 1-1.

The third goal in a frenetic 7-minute spell then arrived to restore Sporting's lead. Casemiro's careless back pass was seized upon by Montero who headed across the top of the box to Nani. The Portugal winger took one touch to control the ball before crashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Porto's net.

Patrício shines 

The hosts came out strongly in the second half and seemed set to equalise when Maurício tripped Jackson in the box for a penalty. The striker picked himself up to take it himself but his spot kick was kept out by a fine diving save from Patrício. The Sporting goalkeeper - in magnificent form and full of confidence after his miraculous Chelsea display - then produced an outstanding save to tip over Marcano's goalbound header.

Porto were dominating but Sporting carried a threat on the break, William Carvalho (back to his best with a performance reminiscent of his form of last season), Maurício and Cédric all going close to increasing the Lisbon club's lead. Porto substitute Brahimi was inches away from an equaliser as his low 18-yard shot went just the wrong side of the post.

Another Algerian who came on as a substitute proved decisive, but at the other end of the pitch. Nani slipped a neat pass to Sporting striker Slimani, who turned his man cleverly but was tackled as he was about to pull the trigger. The ball fell kindly to fellow substitute Carrillo who had the easy task of tapping into the empty net to spark wild celebrations in the Sporting dugout and among the travelling fans. There was no way back for Porto.

by Tom Kundert

FC Porto:
Andrés Fernández, Danilo, Maicon, Marcano, José Ángel, Quintero, Casemiro (Rúben Neves, 45'), Herrera, Óliver (Tello, 45'), Adrián (Brahimi, 74'), Jackson

Sporting:
Rui Patrício, Cédric, Maurício, Paulo Oliveira, Jonathan Silva, William, Adrien, João Mário (Rosell, 85'), Nani, Montero (Slimani, 70'), Capel (Carrillo, 77')

Goals:

[0-1] Marcano (o.g.),  30'

[1-1] Jackson, 34'

[1-2] Nani, 37'

[1-3] Carrillo, 82'