Inspirational Izmailov comes off bench to fire Sporting to victory

Sporting 3-0 V. Guimaraes

Sporting rounded off a highly satisfying week with a 3-0 victory over high-flying Guimaraes to move into second place in the Bwin Liga.

Second-half substitute Izmailov was the hero for the home side. The Russian’s introduction revitalised Paulo Bento’s team after Guimaraes had dominated the first half. Izmailov scored twice, with Tonel following up his vital strike in the Champions League victory against Dynamo Kiev in midweek with another goal.

Guimaraes came into the match on the back of a 9-month unbeaten run, and their excellent first-half display showed exactly why they have settled back into the top flight so seamlessly.

From the off it was the visitors who took the initiative, with Desmarets forcing Stojkovic into a sharp diving save in the very first minute. The northerners dominated the opening half with a combination of controlled aggression, neat passing and speedy raids down both flanks flummoxing the Lions.

However, Guimaraes failed to translate their superiority into goalscoring opportunities, and after Stojkovic’s early save neither goalkeeper was called into serious action before the break.

Half-time tactical switch

Sporting coach Paulo Bento had not hesitation in changing things around at the interval, bringing on Purovic for Djalo and attacking midfielder Izmailov for left-back Ronny, with Miguel Veloso retreating into the back four.

The Russian revolutionised Sporting’s attacking play, with his skilful feet and direct approach immediately causing problems for the Guimaraes rearguard.

On the hour mark Vukcevic slipped a perfect throughball to Izmailov, who deftly chipped into the net over the advancing Nilson.

Nine minutes later Izmailov scored his second. Romagnoli, enjoying another productive match, played a short corner to the Russian who hammered a cross-shot into the net, although goalkeeper Nilson will feel he should have done better.

Tonel rounded off the win when he powered a pinpoint Romagnoli free-kick into the net with his head. It was the central defender’s second goal in two matches, and his tremendous form has seen Scolari recall him into the Portugal squad.

Sporting:
Stojkovic, Abel, Polga (Had, 77), Tonel, Ronny (Izmailov, 45), Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Vukcevic, Romagnoli, Liedson, Yannick (Purovic, 46)
Yellow Cards: Izmailov, Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho

Guimaraes:
Nilson, Andrezinho, Sereno, Geromel, Luciano, Flavio Meireles (Rabiola, 76), Joao Alves, Desmarets, Carlitos (Miljan, 64), Alan, Ghilas
Yellow Cards: Sereno

Goals:
[1-0] Izmailov, 60
[2-0] Izmailov, 68
[3-0] Tonel, 85