Sporting confirmed the advantage they had and are in the final of the Taça Portugal. This Tuesday (2), in the second leg of the semi-final, the Lions drew 2-2 with Benfica, at Estádio da Luz, and guaranteed a place in the big decision. In the first leg, Sporting had won 2-1 at home.
Now the teams return to Liga Portugal, where they will repeat the duel, this time for the 28th round. The Lions lead the league, with 68 points, one more than Benfica. The match takes place on Saturday (6), at 4:30 pm (Brasília time).
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The game
Benfica was the one looking for the first goal, who needed a positive result. Not surprisingly, despite having less possession of the ball, the Reds were the ones who faced the most danger in the first half of the game. Striker Tengstedt made goalkeeper Israel work with the first big opportunity of the first half. The score insisted on going into the break at 0-0, however.
In the final stage, however, the goals started to come. Sporting increased their advantage by opening the scoring in the 2nd minute, with a great goal from Hjulmand, who complemented Gyokeres’s assist with a shot from outside the area: 1-0 for the visitors.
Then, a sequence of goals. Benfica sought an equalizer with a beautiful header from Otamendi after a cross from David Neres (8′), but Sporting came back in front of the scoreboard, with Paulinho (10′). At 19′ it was Rafa Silva’s turn to equalize for Benfica.
The Reds insisted on the third goal, which would take the duel to penalties. Israel, however, saved Sporting, especially with a shot from outside the area by Di María, and held on to the draw, qualifying the Lions for the big decision.
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? Wheelman e Paulinho#SLBSCP // 2-2 pic.twitter.com/UyD5uszgLG
— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) April 2, 2024
Sporting reaches its 30th Portuguese Cup final, having won the title on 17 occasions. Only Porto (19) and Benfica (26) have won more times. The Lions’ last title, however, was five seasons ago, in 2018/19.
The other semi-final will be between Vitória de Guimarães and Porto. The first game is scheduled for this Wednesday (3), at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, at 4:15 pm (Brasília time). The return will only be in two weeks, on the 17th, at Estádio do Dragão.
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