English
Sporting CP Overpowers Depleted Nacional in Funchal Thriller
Funchal, Portugal – In a match held at the Estádio da Madeira, Sporting CP secured a convincing victory over Nacional in a game marked by intensity and controversy. Nacional surprised early on with a goal from Leo Santos in the 3rd minute, assisted by Liziero, igniting hope among the home fans.
However, the match took a dramatic turn for Nacional. The sending off of Pablo Ruan in the 37th minute, after receiving his second yellow card, left the team with ten men for a large part of the encounter. This significantly influenced the game’s development, allowing Sporting CP to dominate possession and generate numerous opportunities.
P. Goncalves, a standout player for Sporting CP, equalized in the 52nd minute, assisted by L. Suarez. A goal disallowed for L. Suarez due to offside in the 66th minute kept the tension high, but Goncalves reappeared in the 76th minute, assisted by G. Inacio, to put his team ahead. C. Harder, in the 83rd minute, and Goncalves again in the 90th, assisted by L. Suarez, sealed the rout.
Despite their effort, Nacional couldn’t withstand Sporting CP’s numerical and tactical superiority, who dominated the match with 74% possession and 27 shots, while Nacional had 26% possession and only 3 shots. Sporting CP also dominated corners (12 to 3) and committed fewer fouls (7 to 17). Referee Bruno Jose Ribeiro Pires Costa cautioned two Sporting CP players and three Nacional players, in addition to Ruan’s expulsion. The match, corresponding to matchday 3 of the Primeira Liga, left Nacional with a bitter taste.
Substitutions sporting cp: at minute 32 H. Morita came in and G. Kochorashvili went out., at minute 64 I. Fresneda came in and G. Vagiannidis went out., at minute 64 R. Mangas came in and G. Quenda went out., at minute 78 G. Catamo came in and C. Harder went out.
Substitutions nacional: at minute 46 C. Labidi came in and F. Soares went out., at minute 70 J. Ramirez came in and L. Joao went out., at minute 75 Paulinho Boia came in and Witi went out., at minute 75 Liziero came in and J. Silva went out., at minute 90 Matheus Dias came in and Watts went out.
The teams lined up as follows:
Nacional
Sporting CP
Titulares:
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