Last-gasp Purovic strike secures semi-final berth for Sporting

Sporting 1-0 Estrela da Amadora

Sporting got back to winning ways after their weekend defeat away to Setubal with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Estela da Amadora in the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup.

The home side had it far from all their own way in an even encounter but just when the tie seemed certain to go into extra time, Montenegrin striker Purovic scored a messy goal from close in to snatch victory for Sporting.

The sparse crowd of under 8,000 at Alvalade had to wait until the 25th minute to witness the first moment of danger in the match. A free-kick on the right was swung into the box and Tonel met the cross with a firm header, forcing Pedro Alves into a fine sprawling save.

Three minutes later Sporting twice came close to taking the lead. First Romagnoli went on a mazy run and passed to Veloso on the edge of the box, and the midfielder’s deflected shot wrong-footed Alves and rolled just past the post.

From the resulting corner Liedson’s header seemed destined for the back of the net, only for the Estrela keeper to pull off an excellent save.

Mendonca chance

The visitors were next to threaten when a dangerous cross found its way to Mendonca but the Angolan, just 10 metres from goal, failed to get enough purchase on his shot, enabling Patricio to make the save.

Soon after Pedro Pereira worked himself a shooting chance in the box, but Patricio again showed safe handling. Play immediately switched to other end with Liedson latching onto a loose clearance but the Brazilian struck his effort over the bar.

The second half started with a bang as Liedson seemed certain to score but the normally lethal striker was slow to take advantage of a dangerous Pereirinha cross and Alves smothered the shot.

Estrela were not limiting themselves to defence however, and a marauding run and shot by right-back Rui Duarte kept Patricio on his toes. Mendonca and Mauricio then threatened in quick succession, before Sporting were dealt a blow when Liedson picked up a knock and had to be substituted on 52 minutes.

Lively Izmailov

Second-half substitute Izmailov, back from injury, became increasingly influential as the match wore on. The Russian swung one cross onto the bar and another onto the head of Romagnoli, who could only direct his header straight at Alves.

Estrela had the ball in the net on 81 minutes when Giancarlo thundered a header past Patricio but the visitors’ celebrations were cut short when the referee ruled out the effort for offside.

Into stoppage time and with extra time looming, Veloso and Moutinho combined to release Izamilov, who showed some fancy footwork and crossed for Purovic to knock the easiest of chances into the net at the second attempt in comical fashion.

A far from convincing performance by Sporting against a feisty Estrela side, but Paulo Bento and his team will not care about that as they continue to chase silverware in three cup competitions.

Sporting:
Rui Patricio, Abel (Izmailov, 51), Tonel, Polga, Ronny (Grimi, 76), Miguel Veloso, Pereirinha, Romagnoli, Joao Moutinho, Liedson (Purovic, 53), Tiuí
Yellow Cards: Tiui, Miguel Veloso

Estrela da Amadora:
Pedro Alves, Rui Duarte, Maurício, Hugo Carreira, Helder Cabral (Pedro Pereira, 37), Fernando, Celestino, Vitor Moreno, Mateus (Marco Paulo, 75), Mendonca, Nuno Viveiros (Giancarlo, 64)
Yellow Cards: Helder Cabral, Celestino, Rui Duarte, Mauricio

Goals:
[1-0] Purovic, 91