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SPORTING WIN BIG AT BRAGA

Sporting Lisbon made it two wins from two games at the start of the new league season in the Portuguese top flight following their hard-fought win at the home of rivals Sporting Braga. Sporting Lisbon had to do it the hard way as they finished the game with ten men due to the red card issued to Brazilian left-back Matheus Reis.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7qTs2pVUAAVFD4.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7qTs2pVUAAVFD4.jpg

Reis came on for Sporting Lisbon in the second half in the place of Portuguese player Ruben Vinagre on 62 minutes. The Brazilian player received two yellow cards in ten minutes before he was sent off with ten minutes left on the clock. At the point of the red card, Sporting Lisbon were leading 2-0 thanks to goals either side of the halftime break.

Cape Verdean winger Jovane Cabral gave Sporting Lisbonthe lead five minutes from the break before Pedro Goncalves added a second goal for the visitors five minutesafter restart.

Sporting Lisbon were cruising to victory until the red card to the abovementioned Reis. Sporting Braga took advantage of the red card when Abel Ruizpulled one back in added time but it was too little too late for the hosts who lost all the three points to Sporting Lisbon who are the defending champions. Sporting finished ahead of the likes of Benfica, FC Porto and Braga to win the league last season.

Champions Sporting Lisbon started the season with an emphatic victory over Vizela who were promoted to the top flight for this season. Sporting thrashed their opponents 3-0 at home on the opening weekend of the Portuguese Super League to lay down a marker and the slim win over Braga ensured that Sporting sealed their place at the top of the table. Sporting Lisbon are one of four teams with a perfect record after two weeks. The other three teams are Gil Vincente, FC Porto and Benfica.