Sporting Lisbon stage late fightback to salvage point against Porto

Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres nets a late brace to rescue a point against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.

Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres scored two late goals in as many minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw against rivals Porto at Estadio do Dragao.

The hosts required just seven minutes to hit the front courtesy of Evanilson’s 11th goal of the Primeira Liga season.

After providing the assist for the opener, Pepe got his own name on the scoresheet to give his side a two-goal cushion at the break.

Porto appeared to be in complete control until Gyokeres powered home an 87th-minute header to give Sporting a foothold.

Sensationally, the Sweden international was celebrating his and Sporting’s second within 60 seconds, tapping in from close range to stun the home faithful.

The eventful conclusion saw Marcus Edwards sent off for violent conduct, but it had little effect on the result, as Sporting stood firm in stoppage time to extend their unbeaten league run to 18 matches.

With just three games left to play, Sporting are five points clear of Benfica at the top of the table, while Porto remain 18 points off the pace in third position.

Porto establish two-goal cushion
With their newly-elected president, Andre Villas-Boas, in attendance, Porto took full advantage of a goalkeeping error to open the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes.

The hosts pounced on Franco Israel’s poor clearance to quickly work the ball to Evanilson, who showed great composure to slot his side into the lead.

After being dealt an early setback, Paulinho attempted to head Sporting level from a corner, but he could only send his effort flying over the crossbar.

Paulinho’s effort proved to be a brief moment of promise as Porto went on the offensive in a bid to double their advantage before the half-time interval.

Evanilson threatened to grab his second just after the half-hour as he drove into the box before firing the ball into the side netting.

Porto’s pressure ultimately paid dividends in the 41st minute when Martim Fernandes marked his Primeira Liga debut with an assist, teeing up Pepe to slide home his fourth league goal of the season.

With Sporting on the ropes, Francisco Conceicao went close to adding a third before the break, firing at Israel before sending the rebound into the side netting.

Gyokeres leads dramatic fightback
The visitors showed little sign of improvement for the majority of the second half as Porto fell into a false sense of security.

The contest ultimately burst into life in the 87th minute when Gyokeres rose high to meet Nuno Santos’s inviting delivery and send an emphatic header past Diogo Costa.

With a renewed sense of belief, Sporting stole possession from kick-off to net an instant leveller, with substitute Edwards fizzing the ball across the face of the goal for Gyokeres to tap in from close range.

Edwards was then dismissed for violent conduct following a confrontation with Galeno, but the dismissal could not stop Sporting from celebrating a memorable comeback.

Gyokeres second brace in as many games takes his overall tally to 26 league goals and leaves Ruben Amorim’s side on the verge of claiming their first Primeira Liga title since 2020-21.

Sporting will turn their focus to a home game against Portimonense, while Porto will have to pick themselves up for an away clash with Chaves.

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