BRAGA 2-4 SPORTING LISBON: A first-half double from Ricardo Horta looked to have condemned Ruben Amorim’s side to their first defeat of the season, but the Primeira Liga champions fought back to win
BRAGA 2-4 SPORTING LISBON: A first-half double from Ricardo Horta looked to have condemned Ruben Amorim’s side to their first defeat of the season, but the Primeira Liga champions fought back to win BRAGA 2-4 SPORTING LISBON: A first-half double from Ricardo Horta looked to have condemned Ruben Amorim’s side to their first defeat of the season, but the Primeira Liga champions fought back to win
Sporting Lisbon produced an epic second-half comeback to beat Braga 4-2, as manager Ruben Amorim won his final game before taking over at Manchester United.
Unbeaten Sporting, who’d won each of their first 10 Primeira Liga matches as defending champions, surprisingly found themselves 2-0 down away to Amroim’s former club by half-time. A brace from Braga’s captain and talisman, Ricardo Horta, put the fourth-placed side on course for a shock victory.
Horta’s first strike came courtesy of a defensive mix-up from Sporting, with 17-year-old wing-back Geovany Quenda – who was linked a transfer to United earlier this week – allowing Braga man Gabri Martinez to sneak in behind him and pull the ball back across goal. Defender Zeno Debast attempted to clear for Sporting, only for the ball to hit Horta’s legs before the 30-year-old forward slammed it home with his second touch.
His second goal was controversial, as Daniel Braganca was robbed of possession on the halfway line by Amine El Quazzani, who sent Braga team-mate Bruma through on goal. Referee Luis Godinho ignored Braganca’s appeals for a foul, allowing play to go on.
After smartly laying the ball off to Horta, the Portugal international saw his shot spin off the leg of Sporting goalkeeper Franco Israel and into the back of the net on the brink of half-time. Having been forced to bring playmaker Pedro Goncalves off midway through the first half due to injury, Amorim made a change at the break by hooking Debast.
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That was before two further substitutions after 11 minutes of the second period. Maximiliano Araujo and Braganca were the men to be ruthlessly withdrawn. Soon after Amorim’s changes, Sporting had hope.
Hidemasa Morita reacted quickest to fellow sub Jerry St Juste’s header from a corner which hit the post and cannoned back into the penalty area. The Japanese midfielder shot high into the net and have Braga’s Matheus no chance.
Minutes later, when a pass was drilled across goal, Sporting talisman Viktor Gyokeres went inches away from making it 2-2. The Swede slid in eyeing his 24th goal in just 18 games this term but couldn’t make contact. Their frustrations continued into the closing stages, as Sporting did everything to avoid their first defeat of the season.
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With crosses and intricate passing moves not paying dividends, captain Hjulmand took matters into his own hands. The Dane lined up a shot from 25 yards out and his effort flew past Matheus into the top right-hand corner.
Given one substitute and one Dane had already scored for Sporting, it was only fitting that Hjulmand’s compatriot, Conrad Harder – who came on at the same time as Morita – scored the winner. Driving across the edge of the box, Harder unleashed a low-driven left-footed strike which flew into the bottom right-hand corner.
The 19-year-old then scored again in injury time, ensuring that the the reigning champions took home all three points. Sporting – who are yet to confirm Amorim’s sucessor – remain top of the table, six points ahead of rivals Porto. Their perfect start – unlike Amorim’s trophy-laden reign – goes on.
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