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Gondomar witnessed a major upset in the Taça da Liga de futsal on Wednesday night as Leões de Porto Salvo defeated Sporting CP 3-2, eliminating the reigning champions from the competition. The victory sends Leões de Porto Salvo through to the semi-finals, where they will face Benfica, while Sporting’s campaign ends in disappointment following a closely contested match.
The result marks a surprising turn of events, particularly given Sporting’s recent success, including their elimination of Benfica from the Liga dos Campeões. However, the team appeared to struggle to replicate that form in Gondomar, falling short against a determined Leões de Porto Salvo side. The Taça da Liga ‘final eight’ saw a determined underdog prevail.
The match was punctuated by early drama. Just three minutes into the game, Sporting’s goalkeeper received a direct red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, leaving the team at a numerical disadvantage. Despite this setback, Leões de Porto Salvo managed to break the deadlock before halftime, with Rodrigo Hiroshi scoring after a three-on-zero counter-attack. According to reports, the incident occurred after Diogo Santos hit the post and Chishkala also struck the woodwork in quick succession.
Leões de Porto Salvo continued to press in the second half, but initially failed to capitalize on their chances. Landelino Neto missed a crucial opportunity to extend their lead, failing to convert from an open goal. However, the team ultimately secured their place in the semi-finals with a dramatic late goal from Leonildo Injai, just one minute from the final whistle. The final score of 3-2 reflects the tight nature of the contest, as detailed in reports from Flashscore.pt.
This victory for Leões de Porto Salvo is a significant achievement, demonstrating their ability to compete with and overcome one of the top teams in Portuguese futsal. The team, coached by Cláudio Moreira, will now prepare for a semi-final clash against Benfica on Friday. Fundão and Eléctrico will contest the other semi-final, determining the second finalist.
The defeat is a blow to Sporting, who were hoping to continue their strong run of form and add another trophy to their collection. Nuno Dias’s team struggled to recover from the early red card and ultimately couldn’t find a way to break down a resilient Leões de Porto Salvo defense. Adding to the drama, Leonildo Injai, the match-winner for Leões de Porto Salvo, is a 19-year-old player on loan from Sporting, as reported by SAPO Desporto.
Leões de Porto Salvo’s success extends to the women’s competition as well, with their senior women’s futsal team also advancing in the Taça da Liga Futsal Placard, as noted on the club’s official website.
The focus now shifts to the semi-finals, where Leões de Porto Salvo will face a formidable Benfica side. The outcome of that match, and the other semi-final between Fundão and Eléctrico, will determine the finalists and set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Taça da Liga de futsal. The competition continues to deliver unexpected results, highlighting the competitive nature of Portuguese futsal.
What are your thoughts on Leões de Porto Salvo’s stunning victory? Share your opinions in the comments below.
