Paulinho had to show his teeth for Sporting to smile. The reigning champion won this Saturday, when visiting Estoril, by 1-0, in a game of the penultimate round of the I League. The accurate shot of the Portuguese forward in the last ten minutes allowed the lions to break not only the record of points in an edition of the I League, but also the record of victories in an edition of the championship.

Movie of the game:

It was a Sporting in champion version that entered the field at the António Coimbra da Mota Stadium, on this sunny Saturday afternoon. And proof of this was the guard of honor that Estoril gave to the winners of the 2023/24 edition of the I League. Those who also had reasons to celebrate were the canaries, who ensured their permanence with the 'help' of Portimonense. In relation to the victory in the last round against Portimonense, Rúben Amorim made four changes. The entry of Diogo Pinto, who replaced the injured Franco Israel in the starting eleven, was expected, with Matheus Reis, Daniel Bragança and Morita also being starters. Nuno Santos, Hjulmand and Paulinho sat on the bench. The game put face to face two teams that already had the situation resolved in the championship and this was proven on the field. The first half was played at a slow pace and was marked by many stops. With no great emotions in the initial 45 minutes, the best chances came close to the break. The best opportunity was even created by the canaries with Rodrigo Gomes hitting the post of the lions' goal. The second half started as the first had ended, with no major changes. But it was for a short time. Rúben Amorim made the first changes at 57 minutes and the game quickly gained a new rhythm. At 63 minutes, Ricardo Esgaio was close to scoring a flag goal. With his left foot, which is not his preferred one, the lions' defender shot hard from outside the area for a showy save by Marcelo Carné. Shortly after, Gyokeres turned and shot hard with his left foot for Carné to save. Vasco Seabra also made his first changes shortly after the hour mark, but it was again the reigning champion who came closest to scoring. At 76 minutes, Francisco Trincão shot for a tight save by Carné. Estoril responded through Rodrigo Gomes, who shot cross slightly above the crossbar of Diogo Pinto's goal. After much pressure from the lions, here is the first and only goal of the match at 81 minutes. Nuno Santos crossed from the left to the far post where Paulinho appears, coming from behind, to shoot for his second goal in a row in the I League. And shortly after, Rúben Amorim fulfilled his promise to debut young Miguel Menino. With this victory, Sporting set a record of 28 victories in the championship, an unprecedented number of lions in all editions of the championship. In addition, the barrier of the best score ever was surpassed. Now, the lions have 87 points and passed the 86 that had been established by Jorge Jesus in 2015/16. If they win the game yet to be played against the already relegated Desportivo de Chaves, Sporting can end the season with 90 points, a mark that will be the second best ever, only behind the 91 achieved by FC Porto, by Sérgio Conceição, in 2021/22. As for Estoril, by Vasco Seabra, they occupy the 13th place with 33 points. In the final round, the Linha club will face Moreirense in Minho.

Moment of the game: Paulinho's late goal brought color to the scoreboard and justified Sporting's greater ascendancy in the course of the second half.

Starting teams

Estoril: Marcelo Carné, João Basso, Pedro Álvaro, Bernardo Vital, Wagner Pina, Michel, Zanocelo, Rodrigo Gomes, Rafik Guitane, Cassiano and João Marques.

Substitutes: Dani Figueira, Raúl Parra, Volnei, Marqués, João Carlos, Mangala, Mor Ndiaye, Heri and Fabrício.

Sporting: Diogo Pinto, Diomande, Coates, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, Morita, Daniel Bragança, Matheus Reis; Trincão, Gyökeres and Pote. 

Substitutes: Francisco Silva, Nuno Santos, Neto, Paulinho, Fresneda, Hjulmand, Rafael Pontelo, Koindredi and Menino.

Preview

It is in champion mode that Sporting visits Estoril-Praia this Saturday, in a game counting for the 33rd and penultimate round of the I League. If on one side there is a club that already knows that it will not fall from the first place, on the other side there is an emblem that has not ensured its permanence. After losing 3-2 in the last round against Farense, Estoril will have a difficult test towards their main goal of the season. Although the direct relegation is already out of the way, Portimonense is only five points behind the Estoril team, when there are six points to be played in the last two rounds. But Sporting will not have an easy task when visiting the Linha emblem. Estoril has already made a dent in Sporting's main rivals this season, as they have already beaten Benfica and FC Porto. It is, therefore, a serious warning for the national champions. The team led by Rúben Amorim, which has 84 points, also aims to break the club's record of points in the championship, which is 86, achieved in the 2015/16 season, with Jorge Jesus in command. If they win the two games yet to be played, Sporting can end the season with 90 points, a mark that will be the second best ever, only behind the 91 achieved by FC Porto, by Sérgio Conceição, in 2021/22. In addition, the 'lion' team can set its new maximum of victories in the main division, if it reaches the 28th in one of these last two matches of the competition. In the previous round, against Famalicão, the team led by Amorim equaled the record of 27 that had been reached in the 2015/16 editions, with Jesus, and 2021/22, already with the current coach. The match between Estoril and Sporting, which will take place at the António Coimbra da Mota Stadium, has the initial whistle scheduled for 6 pm, will be refereed by João Gonçalves and you can follow it live on the page of Desporto ao Minuto. Read Also: Estoril-Sporting: Champion keeps the 'Line' or will lower the 'weapons'? (Portuguese version)