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Points shared on Matchday 1 08 Aug, 2026 Sporting CP draw 2-2 with CF Estrela de Amadora to start the Liga Portugal season In their opening game of the 2026/27 season, Sporting CP were held to a 2-2 draw by CF Estrela da Amadora on the road. Whilst new signing Rodrigo Zalazar and Fotis Ioannidis had put the team comfortably in front, two goals in the final 20 minutes denied Rui Borges’ men all three points. To face the team now coached by the returning Pepa, Rui Borges fielded a starting XI with two changes from the final preseason friendly against Nottingham Forest: Youngsters Flávio Gonçalves made his first official start for the first team and Rodrigo Dias his full debut, taking the places of the suspended Maxi Araújo and of Silas Andersen. From the start, Sporting CP took the initiative with the ball and, despite the packed opposition defence, it only took six minutes to threaten Leonardo Linck's goal. After a well worked exchange, Ioannidis' low shot went too close to the goalkeeper. Shortly afterwards, he had to make a more thorough save to tip away a dangerous cross-shot from Flávio Gonçalves in the area. Keeping their press high, Sporting CP also created from crosses, but in two cases the final touch from Ioannidis proved insufficient to send the ball towards goal. CF Estrela da Amadora only managed to respond with two fast counterattacks, and in both cases Eduardo Quaresma's quick and effective interceptions proved crucial, preventing any attempt at a shot on goal. Ioannidis found himself in front of goal twice in a matter of minutes: His first shot went over the bar from a tight angle, then Leonardo Linck was in the right place to parry his effort after a low cross from Rodrigo Zalazar. Rui Borges's team always had the upper hand, but even after Flávio Gonçalves broke free in the area and headed, the score remained 0-0 at halftime. That changed almost immediately after the restart, when Flávio Gonçalves switched the ball across to Geny Catamo, who found Zalazar in a shooting position in the area. The Uruguayan took his chance with a low hit into the back of the net, for his first goal for Sporting CP. CF Estrela de Amadora became more intense after conceding the goal, but Sporting CP struck again in quick succession. Geny Catamo, from outside the area, forced Linck to push the ball over the crossbar, then the second goal arrived: It was Zalazar again who found the way, this time assisting from the right for Ioannidis' deadly finish. Immediately, Rui Borges introduced Luis Suárez and also Silas Andersen to add more strength to the midfield, which helped to slow the pace of the game. However, against the run of play CF Estrela da Amadora got back into the game and Sporting CP began to make mistakes. Antonetti chased down Eduardo Quaresma, won the ball and scored to make it 1-2 in the 72nd minute. Shortly after, Rui Silva had to go to ground to stop a very dangerous cross from the resurgent home side. Out of nowhere, the game completely changed. CF Estrela da Amadora pursued an equaliser through crosses, and Sporting CP had to set themselves up more defensively than before. Iván Fresneda, Luís Guilherme, and Jesse Derry were brought on in the final substitutions. Late on, in the 84th minute, Rui Silva couldn't keep out a tricky shot from Beni Souza, which brought the game level. Rui Silva’s intervention was also required to prevent a turnaround in the scoreline before the final whistle, as CF Estrela de Amadora rallied. The game ended 2-2, with the two sides sharing the points on Matchday 1. The next matchday sees the team play their first game at Alvalade, where they will host Vitória SC on Friday at 8:15pm. Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Georgios Vagiannidis (Iván Fresneda, 78’), Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio [C], Rodrigo Dias, Sergi Altimira, Issa Doumbia (82’), Geny Catamo (Luís Guilherme, 78’), Rodrigo Zalazar, Flávio Gonçalves (Silas Andersen, 60’), Fotis Ioannidis (Luis Suárez, 60’).