Last-gasp Vukcevic completes Sporting comeback

Maritimo 1-2 Sporting

Midfielder Simon Vukcevic was the hero for Sporting, making one goal and scoring the winner two minutes from time as the Lions came from behind to beat Maritimo 2-1 in Madeira.

Bruno Fogaca had given the islanders the lead on the hour mark, only for Edigle to deflect a Vukcevic header into his own net to level the scores. The late winner from the Montenegrin got Sporting back to winning ways after three games without victory in the Bwin Liga.

A poor first half had only sporadic moments of interest, notably two good efforts from Fabio Felicio, the first saved with difficulty by Rui Partricio and the second cleared off the line by Anderson Polga.

At the other end of the pitch Sporting only threatened close to the break when Marcos did well to tip a Purovic header over the bar.

Flying Marcos save

The match livened up in the second half and on 56 minutes Purovic just failed to connect with a Joao Moutinho cross. Abel then showed tremendous strength to get past his marker and strike a firm shot from distance that brought another flying save out of Marcos.

On the hour mark the hosts took the lead when Bruno Fogaca, standing in for the suspended Makukula, headed in a Fabio Felicio free-kick.

Ten minutes later the visitors pulled level as Vukcevic got on the end of a Joao Moutinho cross and his header struck the legs of Edigle to wrong-foot Marcos and nestle in the corner of the net.

Just when it seemed both sides would have to settle for a draw, Liedson won a header in the box and Vukcevic showed great touch to bring the ball down, side-step his marker, and rifle a cross-shot past Marcos to earn the three points for Sporting.

Maritimo:
Marcos, Ricardo Esteves, Edigle, Van der Linden (Fernando, 68), Evaldo, Wenio, Bruno, Fabio Felicio, Kanu (Gregory, 90), Mossoro, Bruno Fogaca (Marcinho, 83)
Yellow Cards: Kanu, Edigle, Mossoro, Fernando, Fabio Felicio

Sporting:
Rui Patricio, Abel, Tonel, Polga, Ronny (Pereirinha, 72), Miguel Veloso, Adrien Silva (Romganoli, 58), Vukcevic, Joao Moutinho, Purovic (Gladstone, 89), Liedson
Yellow Cards: Polga, Adrien Silva, Abel, Vukcevic, Gladstone

Goals:
[1-0] Bruno Fogaca, 61
[1-1] Edigle, 72 (o.g.)
[1-2] Vukcevic, 88