Late Liedson strike earns Sporting three points

Sporting 1-0 Belenenses

Despite dominating for most of the match and creating several chances to score, including a penalty in the 54th minute missed by Joao Moutinho, it needed a Liedson header 10 minutes from time to secure the three points for Sporting against Belenenses.

Paulo Bento kept faith in the same starting eleven that took to the pitch in last week’s defeat at FC Porto, while Belenenses came into the match seeking to kick-start their season after a draw and a defeat in their first two matches.

Sporting were first to threaten when Ronny hit a rocket-shot from 30 metres that goalkeeper Costinha did well to tip around the post. The former Sporting keeper then produced an even better save as a swift move ended with Izmailov shooting towards goal from close range, only to see Costinha keep the ball out with a tremendous reaction stop.

However, it was the visitors who came closest to scoring in the first half when the home defence was unable to clear the ball and Ruben Amorim hit a fine shot from the edge of the area that beat Stojkovic but bounced back into play after thudding against the foot of the post.

Costinha sees red

The second half started with a bang as Derlei and Liedson exchanged passes neatly to put the latter through on goal. The Brazilian striker chipped the ball over Costinha who brought him down as he was about to knock the ball into the net, leading to an inevitable penalty and sending off.

Substitute goalkeeper Marco Goncalves came on and immediately made his mark by saving both Joao Moutinho’s spot kick and the follow-up effort from Liedson.

Halfway through the second half, with the scoreline still goalless, Paulo Bento took a risk by taking off Izmailov and Tonel and throwing on Purovic and Yannick Djalo, reverting to a three-man defence with four forwards bearing down on the Belenenses goal.

The coach’s audacity was rewarded on 80 minutes when earlier substitute Vukcevic produced a brilliant piece of skill on the left wing to create a foot of space and whip over a perfect cross for Liedson to head confidently into the net.

Sporting should have doubled their lead three minutes later when Liedson slipped a pass through to Yannick Djalo, who, with only the goalkeeper to beat, prodded his effort centimetres past the post.

The Lions held on without alarm until the final whistle to ensure they are among the early pace-setters, while Belenenses will be looking to regroup over the international break after earning just one point from their first three matches.

Sporting:
Stojkovic, Abel, Anderson Polga, Tonel (Yannick Djalo, 66), Ronny, Miguel Veloso (Vukcevic, 57), Joao Moutinho, Izmailov (Purovic, 66), Romagnoli, Liedson, Derlei
Yellow Cards: Vukcevic (76), Romagnoli (87), Yannick Djalo (92)

Belenenses:
Costinha, Cândido Costa, Rolando, Hugo Alcântara, Rodrigo Alvim, Gabriel Gomez (Joao Paulo, 83), Ruben Amorim, Jose Pedro (Marco Goncalves, 53), Silas (Rafael Bastos, 64), Fernando, Roncatto
Yellow Cards: Candido Costa (54), Gabriel Gomez (70), Fernando (71), Rafael Bastos (76), Marco Gonçalves (78), Hugo Alcantara (79)
Red Card: Costinha (51)

Goals:
[1-0] Liedson, 80