SPORTING have beaten Nacional 3-1 to secure their spot in the semi-finals of the Taca de Liga.
The win is expected to be Ruben Amorim’s final game in charge of the Portuguese champions before he makes the proposed switch to Manchester United.
On Tuesday, Sporting revealed that the Red Devils will pay the 39-year-old’s £8.3million release clause to all-but confirm Amorim as the man to replace Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot seat.
United are reportedly keen to have the Portuguese coach in charge for their crunch Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday.
- Match result: Sporting 3-1 Nacional
- Sporting team: Kovacevic, Fresneda, Esgaio, Inácio, Reis, Catamo, Morita, Hjulmand, Araújo, Edwards, Harder
- Nacional team: Franca, Gomes, Ze Vitor, Ulisses, Aurelio, Reis, Dias, Penha, Esteves, Macedo, Isaac
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That’s all, folks!
Sporting are into the semi-finals of the Taça da Liga but it remains to be seen if Amorim will be in charge by the time the next round rolls around.
Man Utd are said to be willing to trigger his £8.3m release clause, so we could see him at Old Trafford sooner rather than later.
Amorim discusses future
The Sporting boss was asked about links to Man Utd after the match.
He responded saying: “Nothing is decided yet… I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.”
FT Sporting 3-1 Nacional
If that was Amorim’s Man Utd job interview he passed with flying colours.
Sporting offered 22 shots and the boss made astute changes which won his side the game – thought it always helps to have someone of Gyokeres’ quality to bring on.
Credit: Getty
FT Sporting 3-1 Nacional
Gyokeres was the two-goal heroCredit: EPA Full-time Sporting 3-1 Nacional
Sporting are into the semi-finals!
Amorim is a happy man as he shakes hands with his opposite number before quickly heading down the tunnel.
Sporting 3-1 Nacional
90. Gyokeres is named Man of the Match for his second half impact.
Sporting 3-1 Nacional
89. Quenda sparks a move again after winning the ball on the edge of his own box.
Sporting win a corner which is easily cleared.
Sporting 3-1 Nacional
87. Hjulmand this time. Quenda is caughing all kinds of problems down the right.
A cross is cleared only as far as Hjulmand again but this time he fires wide from outside the box.
Sporting 3-1 Nacional
86. Sporting close to a fourth as a cross flashes across goal before reaching Araujo.
The keeper was scrambling but he couldn’t get his shot away.
Sporting 3-1 Nacional
83. Sporting counter quickly from a corner and Harder is played down the left.
He creates an opening and flashes the ball just wide of the post. Good effort.
Sporting 3-1 Nacional
81. Substitute Quenda shows pace down the right and works his way into the box before firing his shot straight at a defender.
Sporting 3-1 Nacional
78. Chance missed! The corner is whipped in and Gomes is free at the back post but can only head wide.
Sporting 3-1 Nacional
77. Nacional work the ball really well – their best move of the match – and win a corner as Penha’s shot is blocked.
Sporting 3-1 Nacional
73. Sporting continue to attack as they look to put the game to bed but a move down the left comes to nothing.
Sporting 3-1 Nacional
70. Gyokeres has changed the game.
He showed brilliant technique to whip that ball into the corner. It was on the keeper’s side but he was left helpless between the sticks.
Goal Sporting! 3-1!
70. Trincao wins a free-kick in a dangerous area after his ankles are clipped.
Gyokeres lines it up and fires spectacularly into the far corner. Nothing the keeper could do.
Sporting 2-1 Nacional
67. The referee checks for a possible offisde but VAR finds no infringement.
Game on!
Goal Nacional! Sporting 2-1 Nacional
66. That came out of nowhere!
Esteves shoots from distance at the ball is delfcted by his own team-mate and into the back of the net
Goal! Sporting 2-0 Nacional
64. Gyokeres converts! There was never any doubt there as the striker fires straight down the middle.
Sporting 1-0 Nacional
63. Penalty Sporting! Gyokeres is fouled in the area.
Sporting 1-0 Nacional
61. Sporting keeper Kovacevic is forced into a good save low down to his right.
Penha’s curling effort looked destined for the bottom corner.
Sporting 1-0 Nacional
56. Sporting try to build on their opener as Harder’s cross is met by Gyokeres.
But the former Coventry man was stretching and he couldn’t direct the ball towards goal.
Sporting 1-0 Nacional
53. Morita breaks the lines and is just played onside.
His cut back is cleared half-heartedly only as far as Hjulmand who drives the ball into the far corner.
Goal! Sporting 1-0 Nacional
53. And there’s the breakthrough! Hjulmand finds the bottom corner.
Sporting 0-0 Nacional
52. Nacional break and Isaac makes one of the worst attempts ever at scoring from inside his own half.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
