Sporting beat Benfica to win Portuguese Cup
LISBON: Sporting Lisbon defeated rivals Benfica 3-1 to claim the Portuguese Cup on Sunday and complete an impressive double after edging out the same opponent on the final day of the league season.
Rui Borges' side forced extra-time with in-form striker Viktor Gyokeres' penalty in the 11th minute of stoppage time after Orkun Kokcu sent Benfica ahead in the 47th minute.
Conrad Harder fired Sporting in front after 99 minutes and Francisco Trincao wrapped up the win at the death against their Lisbon rivals.
Sporting CP players and staff celebrates with the trophy after winning the Taca de Portugal. — Reuters
Sporting's season was almost derailed when coach Ruben Amorim left to join Manchester United in November and his successor Joao Pereira struggled to get the team firing.
Little over a month later Borges came in and steadied the ship, taking the team to a second successive Portuguese crown before making it a double.
"We almost lost but in the last minute (we saved it), only a great team can do this," Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand told Sport TV.
"It's an honour to be part of this team, I really enjoy it."
Sporting CP's Francisco Trincao celebrates winning the Taca de Portugal with the trophy. — Reuters
In the 2024 final, Sporting were beaten by Porto and Hjulmand was happy to rectify that this time around.
"We weren't completely satisfied last year, we were left with a bit of an empty feeling but now the cup is ours and we want to celebrate," he said.
It may be the last game Gyokeres plays for the club, with the 26-year-old striker in-demand among Europe's top clubs after an excellent season, in which he scored 54 goals across all competitions.
"You have to ask him (about his future), he has a contract — if it were up to me he would stay," added Hjulmand. — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Allegri returns to AC Milan as head coach for second time
Milan: AC Milan appointed Massimiliano Allegri as the new head coach on Friday, a day after sacking Sergio Conceicao, with the Italian tasked with transforming the struggling club into title contenders again in his second stint. Allegri will replace the Portuguese coach who came in mid-season to help them win the Italian Super Cup but was sacked after the club ultimately failed to qualify for any European competition after a disappointing eighth-placed finish. Their final game of the season, a 2-0 home win over Monza, was overshadowed by fan protests against the club ownership and hierarchy. Milan did not mention the length of Allegri's contract. The 57-year-old's first stint lasted three-and-a-half seasons where he took charge in 178 games before he was sacked when the club found themselves 30 points behind leaders Juve in January 2014. The Italian will also have to wait to take charge of his team in an official game as he has not finished serving a suspension after being sent off in his last game for Juve in May 2024. Juve won the Coppa Italia beating Atalanta in the final but Allegri sent off towards the end of the game for his fierce protests over refereeing decisions, a reason Juve cited for his dismissal. Milan, who started the season with Paulo Fonseca in charge before Conceicao took over, finished 13th in the new Champions League group stage before they were knocked out by Dutch side Feyenoord in the knockout phase playoffs. Conceicao's side nearly salvaged their season with a Coppa Italia run but lost in the final where Bologna won 1-0 to end a 51-year trophy drought and also qualify for the Europa League. Seven-times winners of the Champions League, Milan have not won the competition since their last triumph in the 2006-07 season while their last Scudetto came in the 2021-22 campaign. Allegri, who previously guided Milan to a Serie A title in the 2010-11 season, last managed Juventus. The Italian won five league titles and five Coppa Italia trophies with Juve in two separate stints while also guiding them to two Champions League finals. — Reuters
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Saudis in 'difficult' talks to keep Ronaldo next season: PIF source
Saudi officials are in "difficult" talks to keep Cristiano Ronaldo in the country, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told AFP on Thursday, after the star footballer suggested he was leaving Al Nassr. The Portuguese superstar, whose arrival in 2023 heralded a rush of late-career players to the oil-rich country, could transfer to Al Hilal and feature at the upcoming Club World Club, the source said. "There is an ongoing difficult negotiation to convince Ronaldo to stay and play" in the Saudi Pro League next season, said the source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), a major investor in Saudi football. "First option is a transfer to Al Hilal with an opportunity to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup or to Asia champion Al Ahli," the source added. The oil-funded PIF, the sovereign wealth fund behind a number of big-ticket Saudi investments, controls a group of Pro League clubs including Al Nassr, Al Hilal and Al Ahli. Ronaldo posted "This chapter is over" hours after the Saudi Pro League wrapped up this week with Al Nassr finishing third and trophy less once again. A special transfer window opens from June 1-10 to allow the 32 teams involved in the newly expanded Club World Cup to sign players. Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said "there are discussions" over the former United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon star playing at the tournament in the United States from June 14. Portuguese forward Ronaldo, 40, joined Al Nassr in early 2023 from Manchester United and his contract expires at the end of next month. "Ronaldo's presence is a key factor in developing the Saudi league in the last two years and a half. He opens the door for elite and young players to come to Saudi Arabia," the PIF source said. Ronaldo's announcement comes just months after Brazilian star Neymar ended his injury-plagued 18-month stay in January, after playing just seven times for Al Hilal -- on a reported salary of around $104 million a year. Although Ronaldo was the Pro League's top scorer with 25 goals, he has been unable to win a Saudi or continental trophy with Al Nassr, who lost in the Asian Champions League semi-finals last month. Last year, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said he could end his career with Al Nassr, the Riyadh team favoured by a number of Saudi royals. Meanwhile, Ronaldo's great rival Lionel Messi will play at the Club World Cup with Inter Miami. During a recent interview with YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, Infantino said: "And Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup. "There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup... who knows, who knows. " Saudi Arabia has shaken up football by spending heavily on stars from Europe, starting with Ronaldo's move, and the desert nation will host the World Cup in 2034.
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
Ronaldo says Al-Nassr chapter 'over'
Paris - Cristiano Ronaldo indicated on Monday that he could leave Al Nassr after declaring that a "chapter is over" hours after the Saudi Pro League finished. The 40-year-old Portuguese forward joined Al Nassr in 2022 from Manchester United, and his contract with the Saudi club ends this summer. A special transfer window runs from June 1-10 to allow the 32 clubs involved in the Club World Cup to sign players. Al-Nassr aren't at the Club World Cup, unlike fellow Saudi side Al Hilal. FIFA president Gianni Infantino last week said, "There are discussions" over the former United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Sporting Lisbon star playing at the enlarged tournament in the United States starting on June 14. "This chapter is over," Ronaldo cryptically said on social media with a photo of him in an Al Nassr shirt. "The story? Still being written. Grateful to all." Al Nassr lost in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League last month to Japan's Kawasaki Frontale and finished third in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo was the league's top goal scorer with 24. Last year, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said he could end his career with Al Nassr. Ronaldo's great rival Lionel Messi will play at the Club World Cup with Inter Miami. During a recent interview with YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, Infantino said: "And Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup. "There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup... who knows, who knows."
