Sporting Clube de Portugal took a significant step toward the Taça de Portugal final by defeating Rio Ave 2-0 in the first leg of their semi-final clash at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.
The match began with Sporting asserting dominance early on. In the 12th minute, Geny Catamo opened the scoring with a powerful left-footed strike, giving the hosts an early advantage.
Just before halftime, Sporting doubled their lead. Viktor Gyökeres converted a penalty in the 45th minute, executing a deft ‘Panenka’ to outwit the goalkeeper. This goal marked Gyökeres’ eighth in his last five appearances, bringing his season tally to an impressive 43 goals.
Throughout the match, Sporting maintained control, creating numerous opportunities to extend their lead. Despite several close attempts, including notable contributions from Francisco Trincão and Spanish defender Iván Fresneda, the scoreline remained 2-0.
Rio Ave struggled to penetrate Sporting’s defense and failed to register significant threats on goal. The visitors now face a challenging task in the second leg, needing to overcome a two-goal deficit to keep their cup aspirations alive.
The return leg is scheduled for April 23, 2025, at Rio Ave’s temporary home in Paços de Ferreira. Sporting will aim to capitalize on their advantage and secure a spot in the final at Estádio Nacional in Jamor.
In the other semi-final, Benfica is set to face third-division side Tirsense on April 9, 2025, adding an element of intrigue to this season’s Taça de Portugal.
