Sporting thrash Vitória, stay in the race for top spot (Watch the goals) | OneFootball

Sporting defeated Vitória de Guimarães 4-1 this Tuesday, December 23, in a match counting for the 15th round of Liga Portugal Betclic. The Alvalade club thus returned to winning ways and remains in pursuit of first place. See HERE how the match unfolded.

In a duel played at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, the Lions started strong and determined to take the lead. The 1-0 came in the 32nd minute. A huge mistake by Samu, who left the ball to Francisco Trincão. The Portuguese player passed to Fotis Ioannidis, the Greek returned it, and after a shot that hit the post, Trincão scored the first goal of the match. The second came in the 42nd minute, after a great cross from Ricardo Mangas to the head of Fotis Ioannidis.

In the second half, the Minho side pulled one back in the 50th minute with great help from Rui Silva. Telmo Arcanjo shot from outside the box, the goalkeeper seemed to have the ball under control, but let it slip into the net, giving hope to the Guimarães fans. However, Juan Castillo was also unlucky. In the 63rd minute, after a free kick to the far post, Luis Suarez crossed into the middle of the area and the keeper, deceived by the pitch, deflected the ball into his own net. In the 79th minute, Juan Castillo saved a shot from Luis Suárez, but Maxi Araújo, right in front of goal, made it 4-1.

With this victory – the 19th in 26 matches this season – Rui Borges's men now have 38 points and remain in second place in the Liga Portugal Betclic standings. Porto (43) is in first place. Benfica is third with 35.

The green and white badge will be back on the pitch next Sunday, December 28, against Rio Ave. The match, counting for the 16th round of the National Championship, against the team led by Sotiris Sylaidopoulos, will be played at 8:30 pm, at Alvalade.

Goal by Fotis Ioannidis (2-0):

Goal by Juan Castillo (3-1 own goal):

Goal by Maxi Araújo (4-1):

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.