VAR-diac Alert

Late drama at Alvalade preserves Sporting unbeaten start to Liga season

Sporting Soul
Aug 28, 2017 · 3 min read

Two early goals from Sporting were enough to sustain them through full-time against Estoril on Sunday at the Alavalde, but not before a late strike by the visitors and the VAR cancelation of stoppage time goals by each side provided some late drama in Sporting’s 2–1 triumph.

Coming off the exuberance of last Wednesday’s Champions League qualification triumph in Bucharest, Sporting returned to domestic duties under the late-summer afternoon sun in Lisbon. Jorge Jesus once again was forced to improvise his starting lineup, leaving out a questionable Adrien from the squad (later revealed to have a fractured rib). Adrien was replaced in midfield by Bruno Fernandes, who left his supporting striker responsibilities to season debutant Alan Ruiz.

The opening minutes of the match continued the welcome trend of early goals from Sporting. In the 4th minute, Marcos Acuña curved a ball through the Estoril box onto the foot of a diving Gelson Martins. GMart now has 4 goals in 6 matches this season – well on his way to eclipsing the 7 scored all of last season. Seven minutes later, Bruno Fernandes once again displayed his long-range scoring touch, scoring on a free-kick from about 30 meters out… A truly unique talent who with each passing day looks like an absolute steal. With an early cushion to rest on, Sporting took its foot off the pedal and Estoril began to provide some resistance. However, the first half ended without Rui Patrício having had much work to do.

The second half was a largely lethargic period, with Sporting’s regulars showing signs of fatigue and Estoril largely unable to put together anything productive when it had the ball. And then, on the 85th minute, the somnolent affair was roused when Lucas Evangelista lined up a volley off a looping clearance to the top of Sporting’s box and smashed it past a helpless Patrício. Sporting appeared to restore safety to the result in the 92nd minute when Cristiano Piccini crossed onto Bas Dost, who headed into a vacant goal. However, the goal was annulled after video replay showed Piccini was offside prior to his cross. Two minutes later, Estoril appeared to capitalize on the gift from the video ref in the sky, appearing to score a last-gasp equalizer. This time, however, technological justice smiled on Sporting, and Monteiro was adjuged offside.

Sporting now sit atop the Liga NOS table along with co-leaders FC Porto, having earned all 12 points through 4 matches. And now – for some – a welcome international break.


  • Here’s hoping for a sleepy week through Thursday to close the summer transfer window for Sporting. The William-to-West-Ham saga will necessarily be concluded. A deadline consummation of the deal could leave Sporting little time to sign a replacement, at the risk of repeating last summer’s Deadline Day missteps (see Elias).
  • Alan Ruiz, when he is fit, has a tendency to amble through stretches of a match. Alan Ruiz is still not fit. Inconspicuous debut.
  • Every sportinguista has their «pet» Academy player that they yearn to see with the first team. My «Chico Geraldes» is Iuri Medeiros. And seeing him used as a late-match time-killing sub saddens me. Hopefully Sporting’s expanded calendar will open up more opportunities for him.
  • Every hour that Ristovski is not on the practice pitch should be devoted to video room cram sessions, in order to prepare him to spell the wilting Cristiano Piccini, posthaste.
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Sporting Soul

Written by

Spreading the word about Sporting Clube de Portugal (not just Lisbon!), Portuguese football in general, in English. Sportinguista desde pequeno.

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