Paulinho the hero as Sporting CP beat Casa Pia 2-1 in Rio Maior | OneFootball

Casa Pia’s opening home match at Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior ended in a 2-1 defeat against Sporting Clube de Portugal.

The Lions took the lead in the 3rd minute when Paulinho volleyed Ricardo Esgaio’s cross past Ricardo Batista.

Rúben Amorim’s side were unable to build on their lead however, Casa Pia equalising in the 58th minute when Clayton latched onto Fernando Varela’s through ball and beat Antonio Adán.

Sporting regained the lead three minutes later when Paulinho was given too much time and space in the box, the striker taking advantage and firing into the bottom corner.

Morten Hjulmand came off the bench to make his Lions debut, the holding midfielder helping his new side close it out and collect all three points.

Lions lead early

Sporting Clube de Portugal got off to a fantastic start in Rio Maior where they went ahead in the 3rd minute.

Viktor Gyökeres’ wayward cross was picked up by Ricardo Esgaio, the wing-back delivering the ball back into the danger zone where Paulihno volleyed past Ricardo Batista.

The Lions were frequently turning the ball over in their own half but were not being punished, Clayton releasing Yuki Soma who blasted high and wide with Saviour Godwin a better option.

Sporting the superior side

Paulinho headed Marcus Edwards’ cross over the bar before the game was delayed for 10 minutes due a spectator requiring medical assistance.

Sporting stayed on the front foot with Gyökeres’ shot deflected off the bar and Paulinho heading Edwards’ corner narrowly past the top corner.

Casa Pia eventually showed some initiative during 12 minutes of added time but couldn’t test Antonio Adán, Godwin and Lelo seeing their shots blocked.

Marcus Edwards was heavily involved at the start of the second half, unable to connect on a Nuno Santos cross and firing a long range effort way over the bar.

Vasco Fernandes and Viktor Gyökeres continued their duel, both players going to ground with the Swedish striker calling for a penalty.

Casa Pia equalise

Casa Pia survived and equalised in the 58th minute. Fernando Varela advanced over the halfway line and produced a perfect pass that sent Clayton through on goal, the Brazilian striker slotting the ball under Adán.

Paulinho pops up again

Three minutes later Sporting regained the lead. It was a simple goal, Santos finding Paulinho who took advantage of too much time and space to pirouette and produce a pinpoint shot into the bottom corner.

Gyökeres fired wide from a tight angle before both managers made changes in the 64th minute. Martins introduced Fernando Andrade and Felipe Cardoso for Yuki Soma and Clayton, Amorim replacing Esgaio and Santos with Geny Catamo and Matheus Reis.

Substitutions flow

Sporting had regained control as Edwards fired a weak shot at Batista, Martins going to his bench again in the 71st minute to introduce André Geraldes and Ângelo Neto for Gaizka Larrazabal and Pablo Roberto.

Gonçalo Inácio was booked for bringing down Godwin as Amorim handed Morten Hjulmand his Lions debut in the 75th minute, the holding midfielder replacing Edwards.

Hjulmand instigated a nice move that resulted in Gyökeres firing wide, Diomande going close when he headed Geny’s corner wide.

No way back for the Geese

Casa Pia were throwing players forward in an effort to draw level, Cardoso headed Neto’s corner into the side netting, Godwin couldn't keep a difficult chance down and Beni driove the ball past the top corner before being replaced by Rafael Martins.

Amorim brought on Mateus Fernandes and Trincão for Pote and Paulinho in the closing stages, Geny going close in added time as the Lions held on to return to Lisbon with all three points.

New home

Casa Pia’s opening home match last season was played at Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria as the Geese hosted Benfica. They played their remaining home games at Estádio Nacional in Jamor with Estádio Pina Manique being renovated.

Construction is going slow in Lisbon, Filipe Martins’ side now playing their home games at Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior, 84kms north of Lisbon.

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