Overview
- Sporting beat Marítimo 2-1 at Estádio José Alvalade to qualify for the Taça da Liga (Allianz Cup) Final Four.
- Pedro Lima scored both goals in his first start for Sporting, opening with a header from a Derry corner and finishing the second with his left foot.
- The midfielder is 23 and came through Palmeiras’ youth system before joining Sporting, and his display gives coach Rui Borges an extra option in midfield.
- The victory is viewed by players and media as a key turnaround after recent defeats in the Champions League and domestic cup that left Sporting third in the league with 18 points.
- The competition’s semifinals and final will be single matches in January at Estádio Municipal de Leiria and Sporting must manage short-term fixture congestion with another game scheduled within days.