Porto beat Sporting 2-1 at Alvalade to keep up Benfica chase

In a match similar to the previous two encounters between these two Portuguese heavyweights this season, Porto’s superior finish proved the difference as the Northerners defeated Sporting 2-1 at the José Alvalade Stadium.

In an open and entertaining game, goals from Matheus Uribe and Pepê Porto brought the points while Chermiti’s late goal was just a consolation for Sporting.

Sport coach Rúben Amorim caused a stir when he started with a new set of full-backs. While the introduction of Héctor Bellerín on the right came as no surprise, the option on the left was certainly one as Abdul Fatawu was selected and Nuno Santos was on the bench. Chermiti retained his place in the starting XI with striker Paulinho sitting on the bench.

As for the injured Porto, André Franco and Marko Grujic got the nods after Otávio and Stephen Eustáquio were injured, although the latter was fit enough to take his place on the bench.

After a cautious initial phase, Sporting created their first big chance in the middle of the first half. Coates set up the attack with a volley to Fatawu down the left who slid into Matheus Reis, the Brazilian producing a pinpoint low cross to find Marcus Edwards near the penalty spot. The Englishman shot for the first time, but his shot went wide.

The game immediately switched to the other end, Taremi poking over the bar with an attempt.

The back and forth continued as another well-crafted action from Sporting immediately resulted in another clear chance, this time for Trincão, but his shot didn’t have the power to cause problems for Diogo Costa.

Zaidu and Edwards then traded speculative efforts remotely.

In the 35th minute, Porto had twice taken a hair’s lead in quick succession. Taremi charged into the box and touched the ball past Adán, but he hit the post and Marcano headed the rebound wide of the open goal.

Sporting was substituted unusually early, with Paulinho replacing the once again ineffective Trincão. The fact that the home fans roared their approval tells you everything you need to know about Trincão’s position at Alvalade.

The bubbly Pepê put Adán to the test as he ran across the pitch and hit a solid shot from 25 yards out, but Adán dived to catch the ball.

Sporting created another fantastic chance just before the break. Pote’s diagonal ball was deftly muffled by Bellerín, the debutant cutting the ball back perfectly for Chermiti, whose shot on goal was intercepted by a desperate Marcano block.

The hosts kept up the pressure and took a free kick from a dangerous position 25 meters from the goal. Edwards stepped forward and lifted the ball over the wall and dove towards the top corner, forcing Costa to make a brilliant save to tip the ball over the bar.

Before half-time, Taremi had time to pounce on João Mário’s cross, but his header went wide.

A pleasant change from the fiery final games between these two sides, both teams were determined to stick with the game of football and the only thing missing from the excellent opening 45 minutes were goals.

The second half didn’t offer as many chances but the goals came, the first just after the hour mark when Porto broke through the blockade.

On the edge of the box, Matheus Uribe tried to thread the ball through to a team-mate in the box, but as the ball bounced off a couple of defenders, the Colombian suddenly found himself in a one-on-one with Adán, who was the coolest of ends, curling it in the back corner.

Porto seemed largely in control, going for a 1-0 win as Sporting failed to find any penetration despite plenty of possession, but the game took a dramatic spine.

In the 87th minute, Chermiti met a long cross from Marcus Edwards but Diogo Costa was there to thwart the youngster.

But just two minutes later, the home side erupted when Chermiti hit the back of the net and slammed a rebound after Diogo Costa blocked a brilliant Arthur Gomes shot from the edge of the box. However, the celebration was cut short when VAR ruled out the goal for offside.

Chermiti kept going, attempting an acrobatic effort but failing to make a proper connection.

Moments later, Porto secured the points. Toní Martínez flicked the ball in midfield, Pepê sped past Coates and had no trouble beating Adán. The Porto fans behind the goal were in ecstasy after going from hell to heaven in a few minutes.

But Sporting and Chermiti eventually got on the scoresheet, the striker netting a superb Arthur Gomes cross with a thundering header.

Sporting still had time to carve out one last chance when goalkeeper Adán pulled up a corner and headed down the flank, but the ball drifted wide and the referee blew the final whistle.

By Tom Kundert at the José Alvalade stadium

Goals:

[0-1] Uribe, 61′

[0-2] Pepê, 90′ + 5′

[1-2] Chermiti, 90′ + 7′