the Sporting Lisbon beat Farense 4-0 on Friday in the Algarve, in the match that marked the start of the third round of the national championship. The inspiration of the Lisbon Lions contrasted with the lack of arguments from the Faro Lions and the result could have been greater if it weren't for Ricardo Filho's rowing against the tide.
Ruben Amorim provided 11 goals just like the previous round, against Nacional, and José Mota's team found themselves “back to back” from the first minute. This pressure would end up having an effect just before half-time.
The “massacre” resulted in two goals in the first half.
Daniel Bragança wore the captain's armband once again and also took charge of organising a team that gave their rivals no rest. Proof of this was that after just 3 minutes, Pedro Gonçalves tested Ricardo Filho's reflexes with a curling shot from the edge of the area.
The first ten minutes were very difficult for Farense, and the force applied led Thiago Martins to pull the trigger on two consecutive occasions, to punish Daniel Bragança, and later Claudio Falcao, both for very difficult tackles.
In the 27th minute, after a lot of insistence, Sporting finally scored the first goal. Pedro Gonçalves passed the ball to Daniel Bragança and the midfielder, already in the area, shot for Ricardo Filho to save. Lucas Áfrico got the ball to clear it from the danger zone, but he shot it straight at the feet of Gyokeres. Needless to say, the Swede did not ask permission to shoot (0-1).
After the goal, Farense began to see the desire to reach Kovacevic's goal, but the attempts did not force the Bosnian to dirty his equipment. Instead, on the other side of the field, the ball was handed to Lucas Africo (38). Thiago Martins was called to VAR and after reviewing the movement he had no doubts and awarded a penalty. Gyokéres converted and scored twice (0-2).
Sporting went looking for defeat…and found it.
Farense returned to the pitch, exchanged the ball more, and made the fans think that the story of the match could be different from what was written in the first half. With Nuno Santos on the pitch, Sporting focused more on playing on the left, but it was the foot of Gjoqueres that scored the third goal (66). With the help of Ignacio, the Swedish international moved meters towards the penalty area and surprised with a low shot with his left foot (0-3).
Lucas Africo, who was having a memorable night, looked even worse for the image when he scored an own goal in the 69th minute. Nuno Santos crossed to Gjokeres and the Brazilian defender did what the Swede was preparing to do behind him – put the ball in the net (0-4).
The fifth and final goal would be scored in the 81st minute by Marcus Edwards who had recently come on. Alone, the Englishman turned the Algarve team upside down and dragged the ball from side to side before firing, without a chance, into the net past Ricardo Filho.
Sporting continue their “epic” of victories in the first division, achieving three wins in three matches. Varense loses again and still has no points.
Game time: The third goal was the “final blow”. If the break had helped José Mota “shake” the team, the 3-0 score in the 66th minute dashed hopes of achieving something different.
Preview
The third round of the national championship begins on Friday with Sporting travelling to the Algarve to face Farense.
Ruben Amorim's team has won two of its first two games, meaning that it is at the top of the league table, while on the contrary, the team led by Jose Mota has lost the first two rounds and considers it necessary to score. Now tonight.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:15 p.m. and will be refereed by Tiago Martins, from the Lisbon Football Federation.
Download our free app.
Consumer Choice for the 8th consecutive year for online journalism and Product of the Year 2024.
* Study by e Netsonda, November 10, 2023 Product of the Year – pt.com
“Writer. Communicator. Award-winning food junkie. Internet ninja. Incurable bacon fanatic.”