Daniel Bragança makes scoring return as Sporting beat Casa Pia 3-0 at Alvalade | OneFootball

Daniel Bragança steps on the pitch again after 11 months out with injury. (Photo: Arlindo Homem ©)

Sporting cut the deficit to leaders Porto down the four points, at least until Sunday when the Dragons play Vitória, with a routine home victory over Casa Pia.

The visitors had new coach Álvaro Pacheco in the dugout, while his opposite number Rui Borges gave a full debut to new Brazilian signing Luiz Guilherme and the Lions also welcomed back Geny Catamo who returned from his participation at AFCON.

And it was the Mozambican winger who was the standout player in the first half, scoring twice shortly before half time with a deflected shot and a well-taken individual effort after latching onto a magnificent long-range pass from Gonçalo Inácio.

The biggest cheer of the night though was reserved for midfielder Daniel Bragança, who came on as a substitute in the 65th minute after almost a year out injured.

And the homegrown favourite marked his return in style by scoring after being neatly set up by Luis Suárez.

There was more good news for the home team as Zeno Debast also made an appearance from the substitutes bench after a lengthy injury layoff.

Young Casa Pia midfielder Renato Nhaga caught the eye with his skilful feet and willingness to remain in the thick of the action, but the match was a non-contest from start to finish with a huge gap in class between the sides evident throughout.

Sporting’s next assignment will be very different, the Lisbon outfit hosting European Champions PSG on Tuesday in the Champions League.