Sporting CP have drawn 3-3 away to Eléctrico FC after conceding an equaliser with fewer than five seconds remaining, leaving Nuno Dias’s side second in Portugal’s Campeonato Nacional regular phase.
The fourth-round match in Ponte de Sor was Sporting’s second successive 3-3 league draw, following the derby against Benfica. Sporting reported that AD Fundão had moved above them into first place after the latest round.
Sporting had appeared positioned to take the points after building a two-goal lead twice, but Eléctrico’s late use of a 5v4 attack brought a reward when Henrique, operating as goalkeeper, scored the final goal.
Sporting lead early but Eléctrico stay in touch
The visitors began without Alex Merlim, Rocha, Zicky Té and Erick Mendonça, according to Sporting’s match report. Dias selected Bernardo Paçó, Tomás Paçó, Felipe Valério, Wesley and Diogo Santos in his starting group.
Sporting went ahead after only 30 seconds. The club said Wesley’s set-piece delivery was diverted into the Eléctrico goal by Lucas Mestre, who was credited with an own goal. That advantage remained intact until half-time, despite chances at both ends.
Eléctrico goalkeeper Diogo Basílio, and then Kiko, made saves as Sporting looked for a second. Sporting also said Bernardo Paçó denied attempts from Henrique at the other end, while Eléctrico’s defensive work prevented several further Sporting efforts.
The match changed rapidly after the interval. Felipe Rufino made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute after Diogo Santos released him on the right during a counter-attack. Eléctrico replied almost immediately, however, as Lucas Mestre scored at the correct end to reduce the deficit.
Sporting restored their two-goal margin in the 27th minute. Diogo Santos again supplied Rufino, who struck Sporting’s third from a rehearsed move. Rufino therefore scored twice, but his goals did not settle a contest in which the home side continued to create pressure.
Late 5v4 attack changes the outcome
Ferrugem brought Eléctrico back to 3-2 shortly after Sporting’s third goal. The hosts then pursued an equaliser in the closing stages by introducing a fifth attacking player, with Henrique taking the goalkeeper role.
Sporting’s report said the score remained 2-3 for a period before the late tactical switch, while both teams continued to create dangerous attacking situations.
Sporting said Henrique had already threatened before eventually scoring with under five seconds left. The goal completed Eléctrico’s recovery and ensured neither side could turn its periods of control into victory.
Dias expressed disappointment with the outcome in comments carried by Sporting. He said his side had produced 60 attempts, with 20 on target, but had been punished in the final moments because their finishing had not been good enough. He added that the team needed to improve that aspect.
The coach also said absences had again been felt. That assessment provides context for a result in which Sporting created substantial volume but were unable to establish an unassailable lead, despite being ahead for much of the match.
Second consecutive draw costs Sporting first place
According to Sporting, the point means the club have now drawn their last two league fixtures, both 3-3. The earlier draw against Benfica preceded the stalemate at Eléctrico, which has left Sporting behind AD Fundão in the table.
The immediate competitive significance is therefore clear: Sporting’s attacking output has still delivered six goals across those two draws, but only two points rather than six. The evidence from Ponte de Sor suggests that protecting leads, as well as improving conversion, will be central to their response.
Sporting’s next listed fixture is at home to CR Leões de Porto Salvo at the João Rocha. Dias said the focus was not on simply issuing a response to consecutive draws, but on analysing the shortcomings and producing a better result in that match.