Sporting is in the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup after beating Leça by 4-0. Bruno Tabata was the hero of the game in Paços de Ferreira, home loaned from the Portuguese Championship team: he scored two goals and made an assist for Matheus Nunes, with Nuno Santos closing the score already in compensation period.
The leonine team is waiting for the outcome of the match between Vizela and FC Porto, on Wednesday, to know their opponent in the semi-finals.
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Back to the bank, Rúben Amorim made several changes to the starting eleven, keeping only Matheus Nunes, Neto and Nuno Santos in relation to the defeat in the Azores. The return of Pedro Porro was one of the highlights, but the Spaniard suffered from physical problems during the warm-up and was replaced by Esgaio.
Unsurprisingly, Sporting started well in the game, touching the leceira team to its area. In the 12th minute, Tabata took an opponent out of the way, then made a ‘roulette’ to pass Henrique and shot in style to make it 1-0, with the ball still touching a Leça defender.
Luís Pinto’s team tried to respond to the conceded goal and still managed to balance the match slightly, but the effectiveness of the lions prevailed. At 31′ Ugarte withstood the pressure of two opponents, released in Tabata and he released Matheus Nunes who, in the area, shot for the second.
The 2-0 left the Sporting more comfortable in the game, dominating the ball in the opposing midfield. Even before the break, Tabata took two players from the front and threatened the ‘bis’, but Gustavo Galil avoided the goal with an excellent save.
Shortly afterwards, João Virgínia almost compromised when he left after a song by Diogo Ramalho. However, the ball hit Ugarte’s back and went out through the baseline.
The second half began with a change in Leça’s side, with Luís Pinto launching Diogo Rosado, midfielder who came to be considered a promise of Sporting’s formation. In the 51st minute, Miguel Lopes made the first shot from the field by João Virgínia. In response, Nuno Santos, already making an effort, missed the third from close range.
The lions continued looking for another goal and at 66′ Nuno Santos crossed from letter and Tabata, headfirst, shot a little to the side. Following a corner, Joel Mateus cleared Feddal’s deflection over the goal line.
It was already at a time when Leça created more danger than the team from Rúben Amorim killed the game. Matheus Nunes discovered Esgaio on the right, the side crossed low to the penalty area and Tabata (80′), free from marking, just had to pull over, scoring twice in the match. In discounts, Nuno Santos made the final 4-0.
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