This Wednesday, Sporting welcomed Gil Vicente for matchday 29 of Liga NOS. At the Jose Alvalade, and on the day of their 114th anniversary, the Lions didn’t have a good performance but were able to get a 2-1 victory and get the three points. Wendel and Gonzalo Plata scored for the hosts, while Ruben Ribeiro diminished the gap.

The first half started already with the visitors scaring their opponents. At the 3rd minute, Sandro Lima was able to put the ball into the back of the goal, but it was ruled out because he was in an offside position.

After the initial shock, the home side entered the game, getting the ball but not really being able to hit the target. It took them a while to find the perfect opportunity to break the deadlock, but when it came they didn’t miss. At the 21st minute, after a fast counter-attack, Wendel got the rebound from Gonzalo Plata’s shot and hit the ball into the back of the net.

Gil Vicente almost found the equalizer still in the first half, but Sando Lima was again caught in an offside position and they had their second goal ruled out. They had other opportunities, but goalkeeper Luis Maximiano appeared to stop their attempts and make his team go to the half-time with a small advantage on the scoring.

If the visitors were better in the first half, in the second it was the opposite. The hosts started with a strong pace and already at the 49th minute were able to double the scoring. Claude Goncalves tried to launch the ball to the right, but it ended up in the feet of Gonzalo Plata. The number 20 just had to go forward and hit into the back of the net.

After that, goalkeeper Maximiano appeared more than once to avoid the visitors’ goal. It seemed to be a clean sheet for the hosts, but at the 90th minute, the away side was awarded a penalty. Ruben Ribeiro stepped up and converted from the spot, but it was too late to fight for an equalizer.

With the 2-1 victory, Sporting reached 55 points, in the 3rd place. Meanwhile, Gil Vicente stopped 33 points, in 12th place.