Porto beat Sporting Lisbon in Portuguese league

Porto (Portugal), March 3: FC Porto defeated Sporting Lisbon 2-1 here to increase their lead at the top of the Primeira Liga. Their seventh straight win on Friday boosted Porto to 67 points at the top of the Portuguese football league, a margin of eight over second-place Benfica, who are tied with Sporting at 59 but sit second on goal difference and have a game in hand.

Both sides were missing starters for the contest at Porto’s Estadio Do Dragão, which marked the fourth time this season that the traditiol rivals have faced other in all competitions, reports Efe news agency.

The previous meetings resulted in a draw, a Sporting win on pelties and a Porto victory.

The hosts domited in the early going and took the lead in the 29th minute when Ivan Marcano headed-in Hector Herrera’s cross.

Already trailing, Sporting then had to replace the injured Seydou Doumbia with youngster Rodrigo Leão, but the sub transformed what looked like a setback into a boon.

Just two minutes after coming onto the pitch, Leão took a great pass from Bryan Ruiz and beat Porto keeper Iker Casillas from close range to bring Sporting level. (IANS)

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