Sport Lisboa e Benfica 1 Sporting CP 3 Taça de Portugal Final

Benfica v Sporting CP 

Sunday May 25th, 2025

Jamor

Taça de Portugal Final

The Warm Up 

I always try to start these posts by saying something profound, thought provoking, intelligent or maybe even just by saying something witty. I'm not suggesting for a single second I ever reach that objective but it's always handy to have a target to aim for. This week Sporting have had two objectives, one already completed in case you've been hiding under a rock having secured back to back league title wins, the second forthcoming on Sunday at Jamor to win the Taça de Portugal against the olde enemy from across the road. It'll be the Lions third final of the season and I'm not kidding myself with the reality that we could end up having lost all three. In any other season that would be seen to be a failure of the highest order… and yet…and yet if that happens and someone asks me if I'm happy with how the season went, my answer would be yes. Did you miss the part where I wrote we've just won back to back league titles? 

I sometimes have dreams so real that I genuinely cannot tell the difference between them and what is acting my reality. As a recovering alcoholic for years I'd dream about having a nice cold pint and I'd wake up gutted that I'd fallen off the wagon and try to work out how long I'd been drinking for again. The mind can be a cruel place, well mine can be anyway. Writing helps me process my thoughts and five days on from securing the league title part of me is still worrying that maybe I dreamt it all. If I'm honest I also feel like I've already checked out on this season, the forthcoming final is a bridge too far to cross. It's been emotionally draining. Winning is never easy and maybe if it was then the ultimate taste of victory wouldn't taste so sweet. I've spent my spare time over the last five days reading through every post I wrote from last season's title win. Yeah sad bastard I know but at least one person has read them even if it is me as the author. At points I've laughed out loud at something I've written and thought to myself actually you've gotten pretty good at these things. Always self effacing I'm one of the worst people I know for being able to take a compliment let alone give myself any credit for anything. Looking back, last season was full of suffering and my comments at times were acerbic to put it mildly. Large parts also read like Nostradamus forewarning what was about to come for Amorim and Manchester United. At the end of the day though every post is just the opinion of this one man calling it as I see it through my eyes. I'm not saying my opinion is right anymore than it's wrong. What I will say is when I have been wrong I've kept it in so it's as accurate a document as to the way I felt at the time it was written. So with that in mind, on with today's post. 

I feel proud, proud of this Clube, of the fans, the staff, of all the players and athletes who participate in whatever competition they compete in whether they've finished on the winning or the losing side. The passion, love and loyalty displayed from all sides is as humbling today as when I first fell in love with the Clube. It stands as a beacon to what can be achieved when people come together as a community with a common cause which is especially important in a world seemingly more hellbent on tearing each other apart. In England we do not have sporting clubs and maybe that's why the media here seem to insist on the Lisbon moniker when discussing us. It's beyond their mere comprehension that there's something more than just the men's football team. Sure the women's game is growing here but if an owner was to announce tomorrow that they're setting up teams to compete in fussball, volleyball, basketball, handball and so forth people here would think they'd lost the plot. I'm never entirely sure that I even like football. Reading through nearly 164,000 words that I wrote through last season was proof of that if ever was needed. The pain, anxiety and anguish that flowed at points doesn't make pretty reading from my point of view at least. I should probably have ended the season in therapy. Don't ask me why or how but for some reason I just get this club. It's the Cosa Nostra - this thing of ours. Barca and Bayern by way of comparison claim to be more than a club but are they really? I hate to quote Sister Sledge but We are family. Families fight that much is true but when they come together as a force there are few things in life more powerful and beautiful as an entity. My favourite memory of this season won't come on the pitch, but instead in the stands of Boavista. The fans in attendance that day were truly incredible. They were the beating heart and everything around them was the body that their energy kept in rhythm and control. It was to put it mildly truly fucking beautiful as a spectacle. I'd have happily watched them for a full 90 minutes as much as what went on, on the pitch itself. Sorry Viktor your poker was good, but they were much better value and entertainment. 

Saturday afternoon just gone I'm skipping like I'm four years old again as the B side won promotion so overcome with joy was I at the news. I am by my very nature a fucking miserable old bastard, I'm not going to deny it. By the evening I was in tears, I'm just grateful mine were tears of happiness for I'm sure there were as many shed for opposing reasons on the other side of the city. I might feel differently if I re-read all of this season's posts like I have just done with last’s but to have won the title again still doesn't feel real yet but it does feel more special than last years achievement. I did see them lift the trophy but as I wrote earlier I'm still half expecting to wake up and find a different reality. If it is real and I'm about 98% sure it is, it feels like a real lesson in how to overcome adversity. No team has ever won the league title in Portugal having had three misters. For me and hear me out on this one, each one deserves their credit and yes that includes João Pereira. This is as we know predominantly the side that Amorim built. He departed with us top after 11 straight wins. He couldn't have done much more than stay but hindsight is a wonderful thing especially as United have just lost the Europa League Final. I take no joy in that defeat or his struggles. He wanted to better himself and challenge himself. Well he's certainly got the challenge he wanted if not the circumstances he'd have hoped for. John Pear Tree… João, João, João… where to start to unpack your contribution? Well let's with the most obvious place which for me is Sporting B. It's his handprint on the development of Mateus Fernandes and Abdul Fatawu and their sales last summer which enables Sporting to finance our ability to keep the title winning squad together. This summer it's the sales of Essugo and Quenda that in theory will do the same even if this time we maybe won't be able to keep Viktor Gyökeres or Hidemasa Morita. It should however in theory, if reports are to be believed, mean that we could keep Hjulmand and Diomande for another season. Time will tell. I'm going to add a footnote in that I think Chelsea bought the wrong 18 year old from Portugal this summer and that it's Rodrigo Mora that is going to be the next breakout star of Portuguese football over Quenda but time will tell. I digress, Sporting have had to use 38 players this season. Had it not been for the work of Pereira with Sporting B then we wouldn't have been able to overcome the injury issues we suffered. Sure some players stepping up into the first team contributed more than others but they all contributed in their own way; Quenda, Felicíssimo, Simões, Ribeiro, Essugo, Arreíol, Couto, Moreira, Ramos, Taibo, Oliveira, Silva and Anjos. Pereira had the humility to walk away at the point he knew he had a losing hand. He didn't take any money, he initially went back to Sporting B and he continued to provide the foundation for João Gião to eventually secure promotion to Liga 2 after he'd departed for Turkey. That promotion will ultimately in turn benefit the first team long term once more. I wrote after the Santa Clara defeat or maybe even at half time that if Sporting played like that he wouldn't be coach come the end of the season. I didn't expect him to not be the mister come the end of December, that caught me totally unawares. I didn't, however, call for his head at any point. To me it was a case of I hope he figures it out faster but for me he had started to do just exactly that. If I'd gotten through life under Silas then I could certainly do it under João Pereira. We at least this time around had a title under our belts to comfort ourselves with and fall back on if it went tits up and hands up, I might not have said the same had the situation been different if I'm being totally honest.

I was honest enough during our first title win under Amorim to admit that Porto were the best side I'd watched that season. I was honest enough this season to admit we were fortunate to win away 4-2 at Braga and again to beat Manchester City 4-1 just as two of many examples. I'm not deluded enough to even try to argue otherwise. That we've won this title is because of a series of minor miracles, we've been incredibly fortunate. The neighbours were on the back foot from the off with another defeat to Famalicão proving their victory which gifted us the title win last season wasn't a fluke. The neighbours ran us close, just not close enough thankfully. I won't argue that had João Pereira stayed that we would have won the title. I'm not actually convinced that had Amorim stayed we'd have won the title. In all probability maybe we would have done but the cracks were there before he left and Rui Borges has worked with one hand tied behind his back since he came in at the end of December. His pragmatism and willingness to adapt and change where necessary is something I'm not sure Amorim is blessed with. I called it out last season  on numerous occasions and United fans I'm sure would read my words and think to themselves that they sound very familiar indeed.

I watched how Rui Borges interacted with his players after the win against Vitória that secured Sporting their title. He congratulated every player individually with humility and a real sense of gratitude. Sure you can say that every mister would have behaved similarly in the exact same situation but I'm personally not buying that. These actions were not from a mister with the cameras on him like Nathan Jones at Charlton Athletic during the playoffs hamming it up for those viewers watching at home. Borges let us not forget had minor disagreements with Harder and St Juste during the season as an example but his thanks to both men were as heartfelt as to any other of the players. He started life as the new coach trying to implement his own philosophy on the formation and playing style but was, unlike Amorim, pragmatic enough to go back to a 3-4-3. Where under Amorim and at times under Pereira we maintained that want for possession of the ball just for possessions sake, Borges was wiley enough in certain games to concede it to allow the space to open up and attack in behind where before there was nothing but ten men in a space of between 12 and 18 yards defending the Sporting attack. He's undefeated domestically still. He is lest we forget now a league title winner as a coach. He's good humoured, his use of language always positive and at no point did he wane from his belief that Sporting would be crowned Champions and he was proven right. His one real blot was a loss on penalties in the Taça da Liga. Penalties are known as a lottery for a reason, at least he had a ticket to the lottery. He's got his detractors as I wrote in the Vitória post. Sure you could point the finger at him and use Vitória away as an example that his side threw away a 3-1 lead in the second half. Well Amorim let a 3-0 lead slip in the Supertaça against Porto in the opening salvo of this season and at 4-3 in both matches only one game finished 4-4. Every point counts and that point and the point won by João Pereira against Gil Vicente equal the two points Sporting won this title by. If you point the finger at him for the 4-4 he'll point it back at the 2-1 turnaround against Gil Vicente at home. That win was just as vital as the 4-2 turnaround in Braga under Amorim. As I started off by saying all three misters played their part in this title win as much as the players, the coaching staff, the medical staff, the backroom staff and so on. If you're still reading then obrigado. It may come across as I like the sound of my own voice but in real life I could easily go without saying a word out loud to anyone for 48 hours. This is as I've already stated just therapy for me right now and my way of processing everything that has happened since the Supertaça way back when the season offically started which to mw feels like it was in 1992. Just one more game to go. I cannot wait for this season to be over, I need a break from football. 

This time last season we were going into the same final with the players on their last legs, Gyökeres in particular quite literally playing on one leg and with 19 year old Diogo Pinto in-between the sticks following injuries to Adán and Israel. Hampered by the sending off of St Juste on 29 minutes it took Porto to score a penalty in extra time to win the game having played effectively against ten men for a full 90 minutes. So in theory we go into the game in better shape, however of course there were the celebrations that went long into Sunday morning so Benfica have had a longer day's rest. As previously mentioned it is likely to he Gyökeres last game as a Sporting player even if his Uncle has decided that he should stay with the club and Trincão promised to at least try lock him up so he couldn't escape. He'll be desperate to add at least one more goal before he bows out as a Sporting legend despite his brief two season stay. Few players I'm sure will have had such a profound impact and left such a legacy during a relatively short tenure with the Lions. To simply remark that he's going to be missed is quite possibly the understatement of the year. Talking of understated Morita could also make his last appearance. What a phenomenal servant he's turned out to be for the club as well. St Juste at a guess will be another name to throw into that hat. His legacy will be one of what could have been sadly for him but we wish him well if he leaves and hope his new club have friendly medical staff he gets along with. 

Trincão despite all the links with a move away has said this week he'll stay put which I personally for him think is a wise move. It you're settled, happy, playing good football and wanted by the club then there's more to life than chasing a pound note. That won't stop the rumour mill though. On the opposing side Angel dí Maria, the secret love child of Doctor Spock will be moving on. Bernardo Silva and João Felix touted as his possible replacements. Booooo. 

Potential fitness issues surrounding Diomande after the injury he picked up last game. I've not read anywhere in the Portuguese press anyone making more of that challenge which started with both his feet off the ground. The reverse angle shows it in all it's horror and he took out the Ivorian and his own teammate in the process and wasn't even booked. Given Esgaio and Harder have served bans for verbal incidents it does rankle with me that you can actually injure a player and for it go unpunished. Mind you I'm still pissed at Edward's sending off with Galeno from last season. Let it go, let it go… Hjulmand has served his suspension so should be back to take the captain's armband. 

I won't insult your intelligence by going into too much detail when I write that this game is too close to call prior to kick off. We won at the Alvalade, drew at the pigeons nest and lost on penalties in the Taça da Liga final. One side will finish this season with a double. Three domestic competitions in Portugal and the two Lisboa giants will place first and second in all of them. 

You'd hope after a Sporting fan lost an eye in the title celebrations last weekend and the death of fan Rui Mendes at Jamor in a previous final between the two clubs in 1996 that common sense and a sense of calm might prevail after the tension surrounding the league Dérbi but with more vandalism on Sporting properties over the weekend I'm not holding my breath. The biggest result is that people make it home safely in one piece. That should be a given. Turn your anger into a passion for a good cause. There are things actually worth fighting for instead remembering as male adults especially our behaviour has a lasting impact on women and children who simply want to go watch a game of football. Don't be a dick. Access to humility is not like access to fresh water in a third world country. The neighbours have had a great season. I'd love it if we win on Sunday night of course but my real hope is for a good game of football not ruined by a referee who for some bizarre reason believes all eyes in the country should be firmly on him. Now I wrote after the 2-0 home win at Porto that Luiz Godhino did brilliantly so I'm hoping that he repeats that performance come Sunday. He's officiated five Sporting games to date; Nacional A 6-1, Porto H 2-0, Braga A 4-2 and H 1-1 and Rio Ave A 3-0. So Sporting have won 4, drawn 1, scored 16 and conceded 4 with him in charge. Could be worse.

In the markets 

Benfica 5/4

Draw 23/10

Sporting 11/5

Team News

Starting XI

Silva, Quaresma, St Juste, Inácio, Araújo, Debast, Hjulmand, Geny, Gonçalves, Gyökeres and Trincão

Substitutes

Israel, Reis, Morita, Harder, Fresneda, Biel, Moreira, Quenda and Felicíssimo

Two changes to the starting XI against Vitória with St Juste coming in for Diomande who failed to recover from the injury that saw him withdrawn midway through the first half. The Dutchman given the chance to lay the ghosts of 12 months ago to rest having scored the opener and then received his marching orders un the defeat to Porto. In the centre captain Hjulmand returns from his suspension swapping out for Morita. No spot for Silva the younger on the bench as David Moreira takes his place.

So we've seen Amorim, Pereira and Borges all play their part in the league title win, we'll they've all coached at least one round each in this tournament if you're looking for good omens. Bad things come in threes so having discounted the Supertaça Final as not counting all season long I'm going of course it counts so that we can claim to have gotten the monkey off our backs with three straight finals losses. Fickle? Me? How very dare you. OK so I'll pretty much try anything once. Gyökeres signed off at the José Alvalade with one last goal? Can he sign off with one last goal in the green and white of Sporting assuming we are playing in our new kit? We've our first choice keeper between the sticks rather than our third choice this time around. The neighbours stick with their reserve keeper who's played thus far to get them to the final.

Whatever the result, can we see less play acting from both sides than a fortnight ago. Yes I'm still laughing at Araújo kicking the calf of dí Maria but that aside it makes for a shit watch. Let's hope the Portuguese FA doesn't put us through another Teletubbies themed spectacular prior to kick off. If someone gets bored can they explain the allure of Jamor to me cause I don't get it. Shit ground which doesn't hold the atmosphere in and if you're at the wrong end you need binoculars to see the field of play. For the first time in three weeks I've got zero pre game anxiety. None at all. I think it's because I've already checked out on the season having won the title because it's not from an air of supreme confidence that's for certain.

First half

Sporting's players make their way through a car park like this is a Sunday league game. The end with the neighbours a sea of red and white. Sporting's end looks like we've a few still in the local bars. Military 4*4 vehicles driving around the pitch as two helicopters hover overhead. The first have the trophy. Please tell me the match officials are about to parachute onto the pitch. Damn it they're walking out the tunnel. Gutted.

Two jets fly overhead drowning out four kids presumably singing the national anthem. Step up from the Teletubbies last season I guess. Still would have preferred the referee dropping out the helicopter. Macklemore pumps out over the PA System. Must be a nice day because Borges' missing his gillet.

Sporting get us underway and kick off right to left. No new kit. Still with this season's black with green and white horizontal stripes.

1 Sporting making all the noise which for me is no surprise. The camera angle for those watching at home akin to the view of the Sporting fans at the back of the goal behind Rui Silva. Identifying who anyone is isn't going to be easy

2 Gonçalves shot blocked from inside the D

3 Play acting already started from the Benfica players. That didn't take long as Kökcü went to ground like he's been shot from one of the soldiers who bought out the trophy prior to kick off

4 Kökcü fires low from 20 yards but easy save for Silva down to his left

5 Geny charges in from the right wing and his cut back into the six yard box knocked behind for a corner

6 Araújo wiped out by Luis. That was a genuine foul unlike the di María one at the Luz albeit it didn't warrant the twelve rolls after a la Neymar

9 Confusion at the back as St Juste left exposed. Inácio with a last ditch tackle saved his blushes.

10 Benfica shout for a penalty. Referee has zero hesitation in awarding it either. Shake of the head from Borges assistant. Inácio throws himself at a shot to block it. His arm is tucked into his side. If VAR don't get him to look at this there's something very wrong with the system.

11 Close up of Borges on the bench rocking an old school Casio watch.

13 If I knew Portuguese I'd tell you what happened. I'm going to say Kökcü offside in the initial buildup. That aside never a penalty either

13 Luis with another late challenge this time on Trincão. That's two and no yellow.

14 Free kick 25 yards out played by Debast to the left, header across goal towards Gyökeres cut out and cleared

15 Huge cheers from the Sporting end as Bruma passes the ball out for a goal kick. Not sure that's what he had in mind

16 Silva collapses on the ball to nullify a Benfica counter. Huge cry of Rui which sounds like when Yorkshire cricket fans used to shout Root and everyone went why are they booing?

18 Fucking well done referee as he books Dahl for simulation in the box. I said after the Clássico I was impressed with this referee.

19 Shit the bed. Post from Benfica with Silva beaten all ends up. Pavalidis with the shot from 14 yards, Silva actually saves it and pushes it then onto his left post. Can't work out if he's celebrating the save or bollocking his defence for allowing the Greek the time and space to get the shot away

22 Gyökeres causing chaos down the left, manages to extract a corner when marked by two defenders.

23 Inácio header blocked from the Debast inswinger near side.

24 Benfica looking dangerous again with a ball into the box cut out by Geny. No point in lying they're looking more dangerous from an attacking sense right now.

26 Luis in on Trincão for another foul. How has he still not been booked?

27 Sporting goal living a very charmed life as Bruma shot from 8 yards selects off the left calf of Inácio, into the ground and shoots up over the bar for a corner

29 Close up of Araújo whose shirt looks like it's quite literally clinging to him with sweat

30 Petulance from Gonçalves to the assistant referee. Who had that on their bingo cards? Assistant was right in that he got the last touch for a Benfica throw

31 Huge tackle from Quaresma inside the Sporting box to win back possession

32 Just seeing a replay of St Juste clearing a ball from the feet of Pavalidis from behind and he went down exactly how you'd expect a felled tree to fall when hit by an axe. I hope the Dutchman yelled timber as he went down and hit the floor

33 Luis leaves Debast in a heep. That's four and counting unpunished by a booking

34 Sporting pump a long free kick quickly into the Benfica half but their left back switched onto the danger and cleared for a throw in

36 Morita and Fresneda in conversation on the bench. Pick a language. I'd love it if it was in Japanese

38 Geny gets the better of his marker again but runs into a sea of red shirts

38 Gyökeres fouled outside the box. Actually, not sure if he was really upon the replay. Otamendi took the brunt of Gyökeres lifting his leg to protect himself.

39 Debast with the ball. Free kick cleared for a corner

40 Corner plucked out the air by their keeper

42 Ball carries on traveling from the left of the Sporting six yard box all the way out the right

42 Effort on target from Sporting. Gyökeres had to wrap his foot around a ball on the right and found Gonçalves whose header was straight at Soares

44 Seconds left in the half as Soares Cryuff turns Gyökeres in the box

45 Gyökeres fires a shot from 16 yards through the legs of Carreras but easily saved by Soares

Plus two shown

Half time

Benfica 0 Sporting CP 0

You can't bullshit a bullshitter so I'm not going to try. Sporting have been a yard off this game in all areas other than the back four. The pigeons should go into the break leading this game, that they don't is down to some last ditch tackles from Quaresma, Inácio and a world class save from Silva.

The referee has had another good game to be fair to him. Yes he awarded a penalty but at full speed it is ball to hand. It wasn't given because of offside but the I'd be amazed if he wasn't offside if he would have still given it upon review on a screen. We'll never know to be fair.

Sporting's biggest problem is having won the league title last weekend. Like me they've checked out somewhat from this game before it even kicked off.

Look I've written enough words this season already. It's still all to play for. At the moment there only looks like one winner but football is a funny old game.

Second Half

I imagine the smart money is being laid on the neighbours to lift the trophy and it's hard to make an argument against at present. Like Braga in the Taça da Liga last season it only takes one shot on target to sometimes win a game you didn't deserve too. Sun will be in the eyes of their players second 45.

How superstitious am I? Well I've just realised I watched the first half on a phone I never watch games on and just swapped. I've also not cut my hair for two seasons because we went on an unbeaten run at home and it's now title winning hair. If we win this trophy I'll show you the lions mane to prove it.

Sporting's heroes so far have been at the back. We need a hero in the final third. Winner from Gyökeres if the script writers have it preordained. Flying header from St Juste in the 90th minute? Geny likes a goal in the Dérbi de Lisboa… clutching at straws? Me?

Love generation blares out as Benfica take the field first. Subtle hint to the fans. Sporting finally make their way out. Feel the love generation…

Benfica get us back underway.

Gyökeres is busy talking to himself. One more goal, one more goal.

46 Better from Sporting. Quaresma wins the ball back in the lion's half. Break on the right, ball swung out to Araújo with a poor first touch to control. He passes to Debast open who sky's one over from 17 yards

47 GOAL Benfica 1 Sporting CP 0. Kökcü smashes home into the bottom left hand corner from 25 yards to break the deadlock. Can't argue the quality with the finish.

49 Benfica 2 Sporting CP 0. I'd say that was game set and match. Sporting had led a charmed life in the opening 45. Bruma blows a balloon up with the shittest celebration. He swept the ball past Silva from 8 yards.

51 Referee has gone to the monitor. Foul on Trincão. I'm presuming that was somewhere in the buildup. Yellow to Carreras. Still Benfica 0 Sporting CP 1. I've said it four or five times this season I like this referee.

53 Sporting fans the one making the noise despite the scoreline. Gyökeres wins a corner far side.

54 Hjulmand swings and the ball goes backwards from 8 yards. Fuck me

55 All the pressure coming from Sporting now. This game has burst to life.

55 Gyökeres wrestled to the ground. No booking still despite the infringement

56 Araújo charges after the ball but Soares was quickly off his line to collect the ball.

57 Debast swaps for Morita who gets his chance to say goodbye to the fans.

57 Defensive mixup between Silva and Soares. Keeper slices it out for a throw. They're looking nervous all of a sudden

59 I've been as calm as a Hindu cow all game up until now. Sporting have woken up to the fact this is a Final and so have I

59 Gyökeres too selfish. Tries to shoot from 12 yards when the pass to Gonçalves who was open in the area was on

60 Soares down in the box. He's complaining about his right leg. Replay shows he winced when kicking the ball out seconds before. Trubin warming up on the side.

62 Play gets back underway with a drop ball to Sporting. Soares plays on for now

63 Cries for a free kick against St Juste. Referee looks like he's on Sesame Street with one hand down the arm telling the children on the pitch in red shirts why it's not a free kick

64 Kökcü shown a yellow presumably for the finger wag in the face of the referee after he was penalised for a foul on Hjulmand

66 Trincão shoots from the inside the D but the sting is taken out of it and it rolls through to the keeper.

67 More time to be added on as Kökcü now down receiving treatment.

68 Goalscorer Kökcü comes off for the forgotten man of Portuguese football Renato Sanches. Akturkoglu also off which is a shame because he added nothing for them all game

69 Trincão effort blocked again. Carreras the man with the slide to get his foot in the way of the effort.

70 Morita in the middle of everything for Sporting right now. He's just doing the simple things right and really well. Are you watching on Bragança?

71 It is all Sporting now but they still don't appear any closer to an equaliser

72 Corner Sporting. Another Benfica player goes down. This is taking the piss now.

73 Harder coming on for Sporting. Cleared again. We really do need a set piece coach. I mean I've only said it for two seasons.

74 Header from Gyökeres ten yards out over the bar

74 Harder replaces Gonçalves. Geny is also off for… Quenda.

75 Wow an actual Benfica chant. Didn't know they had any. I mean it's literally chanting Benfica but still …

76 Araujo and Pavalidis off.

77 Harder shown a yellow for an arm into Otamendi. The Danes reaction says it all. Disbelief. Not like Otamendi to go down too easy under the slightest of touches is it?

78 I have a horrible feeling for all the chasing of an equaliser were going to be sucker punched late on

79 St Juste with the technical foul inside the Benfica half to stop a breakaway. That should have been a yellow all day long. What a difference a referee makes to this time last year.

80 Quaresma bundled off the ball. Belotti draws a save from 3 yards.

82 I'm not sure how Sporting are still in this game with 8 to play

82 Another player down for Benfica. Shit that looked nasty as Otamendi headbutts I think Belotti

83 Reis on. Quaresma and St Juste off. Otamendi might be getting stitches on the pitch. Stitches are for bitches… oh wait snitches. My bad. Not sure who else Sporting brought on. Oh no wait Fresneda I saw the back of his shirt. Don't ask me my own name right now

85 Araújo yellow as Otamendi goes down clutching his side. Hjulmand pushes him away. Never a yellow as Otamendi jumps into him

86 Trincão passes the ball back to Soares from 8 yards. That was THE chance.

86 We're looking at maybe eight minutes additional time. Maybe even ten.

87 Morita hooks one high and wide from 20 yards. His face says it all

88 Similar effort the other end as a shot goes high and wide from 18 yards. Schjelderup the guilty party

89 Fresneda ball into the six yard box claimed by Soares

89 Handball from Belotti who let Inácio off the hook as his attempted clearance was right at the Italian.

Plus ten shown. I did say maybe it could even be plus ten

+1 Quenda pass misses Gyökeres and straight out for a goal kick

+1 Hjulmand yellow. Play acting as per usual from I think Sanches. Any touch to the face and they go down like Jenga

+2 All too much for some of the Sportinguista's in the crowd as man sits looking away head resting on his hand

+4 If Sporting find an equaliser I cannot lie and say it will be deserved. They've barely come close to finding one

+4 More play acting from Belotti who was playing rugby in the corner shielding the ball. Officials having none of it

+5 Harder header easily claimed by Soares from 16 yards as it travelled into the bottom left hand corner. That needed to be from ten yards further forward and into the top left hand corner

+7 Smart save at the near post from Silva from #18. The angle was always too tight for Barreiro but he won a corner nonetheless

+8 Borges about to lose his unbeaten record … no... penalty Sporting.. Gyökeres taken out inside the area. Referee has no hesitation. Sanches connects and I cannot see that being overturned. Jesus my heart is racing

+10 GOAL Benfica 1 Sporting CP 1. Gyökeres sends the ball right as the keeper goes left. It's an equaliser that hasn't been coming. It isn't deserved. It still counts. Soares went the wrong way. No idea how long is left. Di María either has hay fever or is wiping away a tear. So many times this season I'm half way through a sentence and Sporting contradict me. Obrigado

+11 Whistle blows. Second straight season were going into extra time.

Full time

Benfica 1 Sporting CP 1

Extra time

Sporting attack right to left. It's the Sportinguista's making all the noise again which comes as no surprise.

+1 Harder charges down the left and his shot from 16 yards on the edge of the area brings a save at the near post.

+2 Well I'm still in a state of shock. Their fans clearly are too. Wrote at half time it only takes one shot, one goal

+4 Huge cheers as Reis the man in the right place at the right time to intercept a pass

+4 I lied about fans not being able to make an atmosphere in this stadium. You can if you're Sporting and have just scored a last minute equaliser

+5 Harder fires in a shot from inside the D straight at Soares. I'm pretty sure he's still Sporting's top scorer in this competition

+5 Otamendi went down clutching his face again and the arm was at least ten inches from connection. Fucking book the prick. What a fucking cheating cunt that wanker is

+6 The chant to Hitlers only got one ball is back. Still no idea what they're singing

+7 Soares keeps his side in it. I thought that might have been offside. He came out to stop a potential Gyökeres effort. Out for a corner.

+7 GOAL Benfica 1 Sporting CP 2. Harder powers home a header from 8 yards into the bottom left hand corner. He loves the Taça de Portugal

+9 VAR check complete. Harder the man for the big occasion. He's come in for a lot of criticism from certain quarters as has Rui Borges. Not from me. I love this kid. I said with his last header he needed to be ten yards closer. He didn't miss that time.

+10 Quenda yellow as he shoved Carreras onto the floor on the sidelines. No idea what that was over

+11 Otamendi basically falls into the ball from 5 yards and it's into the hands of Rui Silva

+12 Clever play from Araújo as he applies the brakes and lets Belotti flatten him

+12 Loud whistles as Di María on as a sub complete with his Mr Spock ears

+13 Quenda mops up again at the back. His contribution has very much been defensive since he came on

+14 Rui Silva dives in the ball again to that huge shout of Ruiiiiiii

Plus one shown

+1 Di María shot deflects off Morita and trickles into the arms of Silva from 20 yards

Half time

Benfica 1 Sporting CP 2

I wrote early on into his Sporting career that we'd be in good hands with the Dane if and when Gyökeres leaves. Will the Scandinavians be the heroes? Fifteen to find out.

Second Half

Benfica get us underway

+15 Blocked shot from 8 yards

+16 Foul wide right. Benfica with a free kick in a dangerous position. Trincão on defensive duties out for a corner

+17 Silva punches clear for another corner. Sporting clear their lines

+18 Fresneda conceded a free kick for a foul on Belotti. Morita clears that in turn

+19 Goal kick Sporting as a cross blocked by Fresneda comes off the Benfica attacker

+20 Rui Silva down receiving treatment. Christ my heart is thumping in my chest. I don't want to know what my blood pressure is right now

+11 Rui Costa wipes his face and takes a huge breathe

+12 Benfica counter. Quenda on defensive duties again clears for a corner

+12 Araújo is down far side. The referee looks bemused as to where the medical staff are. He makes me giggle this guy.

+13 Jesus wept the whistles from the crowd. Soares shown the yellow presumably for dissent

+14 David Moreira the Cape Verde international on for his debut in place of Araújo

+14 Harder tripped by Schjelderup

+16 Harder tries to find Gyökeres but ball goes all the way across the area

+16 Blocked shot from 16 yards. I think Hjulmand it is who clears

+16 Di María sends one goalwards and over the bar by about half a yard from 20 yards out

+18 Hjulmand concedes a free kick 30 yards out centrally

+18 Di María over the ball. He beats the wall but straight at Silva

+19 Varandas nervously stroking lips in the directors box

+20 GOAL Trincão slots home. He missed the penalty that cost us the Taca da Liga. Well he's got the last laugh now. Benfica 1 Sporting CP 3. Harder picked up the ball on halfway. He slowly moved forward. Found Gyökeres who found Harder, he passed to Trincão who with his first touch beats his marker and the forward sweeps home from ten yards.

Plus five shown

+2 Wow I'm having a cheese dream. What a turnaround.

+3 Is there a fire drill? Is there a fire drill? The Benfica end is emptying fast.

+4 Fresneda with an important block

+4 Belotti heads wide from 8 yards

+5 Close up of Gyökeres whose face says I can't really believe this has happened

Full time

Benfica 1 Sporting CP 3

Not for the first time this season I've tears in my eyes. Moreira not sure what to do with himself. What a game to make your debut in. Otamendi stands bloodied on the sides. How ironic an actual injury and it came from your own player, that's called Karma.

Harder pulls back his ears and sticks out his tongue. Gyökeres pumps his arms in celebration. Di María in tears in the centre gets a huge from Trubin. Every final has its winners and losers. Sporting CP have won the double. They've brought an end to their run of losing finals. Did they deserve it over 90 minutes? No. But the game was played over 120.

Yellow was shown to Bruno Lages at full time. Is that his second spell over at Benfica? Time will tell. A Taça da Liga not good enough for a club their size but it's been a season where they've pushed Sporting close on all fronts. It would be harsh but this is Portuguese football. Two points the difference in the league, a win in the Taça da Liga by a penalty kick and it took Sporting to equalise in the tenth minute of additional time for them to eventually lose this final. They had been the better side. They'd got the ball in the net twice...

Close up of Harder taking more congratulations. Earlier this season I wrote we'll do well to keep hold of him as well as Gyökeres. Some fans wrote he's too green to take the mantle. The only thing green was the stripe on his shirt when he scores the second.

Hjulmand with the perfect Portuguese. What a credit to this club. I mean I say perfect. I've no idea what he's saying.

There's that Rui Borges smile. He's in dreamland. Looks chilly as if to say I wish I had my gillet as he puts a Sporting jersey on over the top of his T shirt. This unassuming mister, so humble. There's nothing flash about him with his Casio watch. He came in with the club in need of desperate direction in December. He said all the way through he believes they'd win the league. His prediction came correct. Now he's won a league and the Taça de Portugal. What an amazing man.

Benfica received their medals. Nice touch from Varandas who shakes each hand and presumably says well done. There's been too much idiocy in event weeks between the two clubs. Change starts from the very top. He hugs Lage as he passes and offers some kind words. This Benfica side have taken Sporting to the wire. They deserve credit. Yes they'll be disappointed but they needn't be. They should hold their heads high.

Magico Sporting reads a banner in the crowd. Magico indeed. Morita nods his head taking it all in. He was brilliant when he came on. Obrigado our little Japanese wonder. It's been a pleasure. You'll be missed.

Trincão hugs the mister. I'm not sure Borges can believe it. A moment of class from Borges to Nuno Santos who looks like he's been in tears. Maybe a message he's still in the plans of the club come next season.

Quaresma leads the squad up this famous stairs follows by Inácio. Gonçalves, Harder…

Big hugs for each from Varandas. So many players with scarves tied to their heads. Must be a tribute to St Juste. Diomande in with the players he's up for his medal. Debast repping Belgium with the countries flag hanging down from the balcony.

The mister mobbed with hands on his way up ready to say obrigado. St Juste bites his medal just to check it's real after his final twelve months ago.

Campeãos, Campeãos sing the players. Borges gets his medal followed by Hjulmand. The leader and his captain. Hjulmand takes the trophy. Walks forward and raises it in triumph. Sporting clube de Portugal double winners. Paulinho the next man to lift it. He gets everywhere. Gyökeres goes to lift the trophy as they cut to Lage walking over to those fans who've remained behind to applaud them. Slow motion replay shows Paulinho with the sly hand on the trophy as it went up. He's funny. Christ I'm going to be writing this up come the start of next season. Oh look who's got the trophy on the way down… Paulinho.

Inácio takes the slaps on the head as he charges through a line of players. Nuno Santos has found a child. Diomande limps and holds his ears as he walks through. Paulinho still has the trophy. He's off down the end showing it off for the fans whilst all the players are still in their line. I'm dying laughing. Paulinho the loan man sways from left to right as he's serenaded with a rendition of Pelo Meu Sporting. I'm having a cheese dream as the hairs go up on my arms. Finally the players have made it down to join Paulinho. Will he give up the trophy? Yes finally as Gonçalves kisses it. Harder with an award poses for a photo. Man of the match? Reminds me I'll need to do mine at some point.

One more time playing over the tannoy. Daft punk; Harder, better, faster, stronger - How very apt.

Varandas having none of the attempt to interview him as he expressed his thanks to the fans. Bruno de Carvalho would have given the interview. Varandas knows this isn't about him. Gyökeres not allowed to enjoy his moment asked about his future. Always the diplomat. Obrigado Viktor.

The Final word

I've no idea who said the truth is stranger than fiction and I'd really not care to hazard a guess. You couldn't write the way this season has been bookended. No one would believe you. I feel like I'm in a cheese dream. It started with Sporting leading in the Supertaça Clássico 3-0 and yet we somehow we contrived to lose the game 4-3. We lost the Mister to Manchester United but not before he'd won the opening 11 league games and led Sporting to a 4-1 win on the Champions League over reigning Premier League Champions Manchester City.

João Perreira parachuted in from Sporting B and airlifted to safety before 2024 had even drawn to a close. His short tenure started with a bang, a 6-0 win over Amarante in the Taça de Portugal. Then four straight defeats including a 5-1 drubbing by Arsenal and the club's first home defeat since the 2022/23 campaign. Importantly he led Sporting to their win over Santa Clara in extra time in the Taça de Portugal. He fell on his own sword, did the honourable thing and Varandas quickly moved to pay the release clause from Vitória for the services of Rui Borges. *His first game came against his old charges, a game in which Sporting led 3-1 but needed an additional time equaliser from Trincão to pull it back to 4-4. Another final lost but not the misters undefeated record as football has strange laws like that. Trincão missed the penalty that meant Benfica won the Taça da Liga.

A season of injury after injury. Suspensions then didn't help Borges' cause but he never wavered from the belief in his players and they somehow kept ongoing. Two rounds left in the title and Sporting and Benfica could only be separated by the 1-0 win of the head to head record. Advantage Sporting. For weeks the press wrote this was the title decider. Me? Minutes before kick off I reminded the world it could be a draw and so it came to pass. Sporting then just needed to beat Vitória which they duly did 2-0 and the third mister of the season was now a league title winner closing the circle against his former team. However one more chapter still to write.

Remember 3-0 up and coasting against Porto is where we started this story that couldn't be written because no one would have believed it was true. Fast forward to the present day. Benfica v Sporting and the winners would win the double.

Prior to the game I'd said how highly I thought of the referee Luis Godhino. I put my faith in him. He rewarded me with a penalty to Benfica. He overturned it correctly. He books Dahl for simulation in the box. If we lose this game it's not going to be down to him for me at least. Half time somehow it's 0-0. Second half Sporting start brightly then have their lights turned out. 1-0 Kökcü wonder goal from 25 yards just two minutes into the half. Two minutes later our goose is cooked as it's 2-0. Godhino bides his time, works with the VAR team. Foul on Trincão in the buildup, overturned the goal, yellow for the challenge. Benfica fans silenced. Sportinguista's responded knowing their team needed lifting.

They huffed and they puffed but no houses blown down. Benfica players dropped like flies. Every single time the slightest bit of contact and the physio was on. 90 minutes done and the board goes up to indicate ten extra minutes. Gyökeres with Sporting's last chance is taken out by the once golden boy of Benfica in Renato Sanches. Penalty to Sporting. Well there's only one man you want to take it isn't there. The taslismanic Swede levels the scores at 1-1. Di María is already wiping his tears away on the bench. Let's close another circle after Vizela started last season time wasting and got caught with the injury time winner from Paulinho. Yet we're still to come full circle on this season.

30 minutes left to play. Benfica have been the better side. They've scored twice only to have one correctly chalked off. Kökcü down injured gave it the finger to the lips to shush Sporting's players. Only one side silenced now. The belief drained from the red and white side of the stadium. The green and white smelt the kill. So what happens when you start the season scoring three and want to round it out in a manner that appeals to my OCD? You score the equaliser, you score the second from a Harder header and on 120 minutes George Harrison, the man who missed the penalty in the Taça da Liga switches the lamps out on the side from da Luz - the stadium of light. That's how you book end the season perfectly, complete the circle with 3 goals that brought two very different results. Sporting Clube de Portugal double winners. Bicampeãos in the league. Rui Borges the humble man in the middle of it all looking like he's also in the middle of my cheese dream. What a night, what a season. As I say you couldn't have scripted it because no one would have believed you. You'd have left the cinema going well that was shit. Like Gyökeres in his last game would win and score a penalty with virtually the last kick of normal time. Yeah right. Perhaps it didn't happen. Perhaps I am dreaming. To be fair I'm too hopped up on adrenaline to not be awake.

Where do you start to dissect that final? Let's say it was dedicated to the late Rui Mendes who lost his life at a previous final, may you rest in peace and be smiling down at the win. I hope everyone gets home safely tonight whatever side they support.

I'm not going to sugar coat my assessment of the game. It wasn't pretty for large parts from a Sporting point of view. To go in at half time at 0-0 was owed to the calmness of Godinho to get the decisions correct. To the well timed tackles from Inácio who had his best ever half in a Sporting shirt, more well timed tackles from Quaremsa and St Juste, most importantly of everyone, Rui Silva playing like a man possessed.

Geny showed flashes of industry as did Araújo but both were more effective in supporting the defence than they were attacking. Debast not at the races, Hjulmand middle of the road, Gonçalves and Trincão virtual passengers and Gyökeres huffing and puffing but maybe one to game too many even for him.

No changes at half time. That Kökcü goal goes through the legs of Debast and there's not much Silva can do. Sporting were like Anthony Joshua when he got hit on the temple by Andy Ruiz. Their legs had gone. 2-0 and the game really was over. Godhinho made the perfect call again. Finally after all the criticism of VAR this final proves it value. I'll fight the man's corner if anyone criticises him in the Portuguese press.

The change of Morita on for Debast was key. He didn't complete all of his passes but when he did they were simple and effective and a reminder of how someone can make it look so easy. Araújo was becoming a real nuisance down the left. He's a wind up merchant and the South Americans were having their own private set to. Quenda on presumably meant as an attacking threat. He puts in his best performance in his debut season… defending. He was everywhere all at once. That left the baby faced Harder to do the attacking as Gonçalves exited on the far side. Boy was he relishing his opportunity. He is the labrador puppy that smashes into all your furniture with boundless energy. Finally Sporting had some attacking impedous. Reis and Fresneda, fresh legs to do the dirty work. Now you've got three players charging around mopping up balls left right and centre in Quenda, Reis and Fresneda just as Quaresma and Inácio starting to make mistakes. Hjulmand raised by his old running mate Morita. Sporting can do what they've done better than any other team all season long - counter attack. Ten minutes additional time. Never give up. You leave it all out there. No club world cup you've got the summer off gentleman.

Then it happens. You can't quite believe it. The reason you should never leave a game early. Some will have done and come rushing back. One more goal to add to the collection. He signed off at the José Alvalade, he's signed off at Jamor and as a Lion with one more goal. Yet 30 minutes still to play. Now it's Benfica buzzed with the sucker punch. The Lions have their claws out. The fans had done their job carrying the players forward just as they'd done in Boavista weeks before when they needed it the most. You can't buy that connection.

I joked about you needing binoculars if you were in the Sporting end behind one of the goals. It wasn't a joke though...how much they saw of Harders header to make it 2-1 is anyone's guess. Benfica fans left wishing they were the other end as they got the full view. Stage two of the turn around completed. Now to hang on. Benfica huffed and puffed. Fresneda and Reis chanelled all they'd learned from Sebastián Coates. Match winning performances in a microscosm as Inácio and Quaresma has done in the opening 45.

Seconds left on the clock and the game is im slow motion. Harder picks up the ball and carries it forward half wasting time, half looking to see if anything is possibly on. He still got the legs. He's flying after his goal. Fuck it he must have thought as he passes to Gyökeres and makes his run for the return. George Harrison asks himself is there anything left in my legs? Some fumes? Well that's good enough. Gyökeres back to Harder who looks up and plays that beautiful through ball. Still work to do, magic feet by Trincão to break free. If you're soundtracking this in the film no one would ever watch because it's too unbelievable to be true Freddie Mercury is now singing I want to break freeeeee. The director cuts to the Taça da Liga and Trincãos heartbreak and then we're back and the ball hits the net. I said he had nothing to apologise for after he penalty miss. Well he felt he had to and does so first after three minutes in da Luz, and again here to break Benfica hearts. You had nothing to be forgiven for. Still if it makes you feel better you are forgiven. Even with another five minutes they're not coming back now. There's a fire drill the other end of the stadium.

Finally the whistle and it's all over. Sporting have won the double. Sporting lay the ghost of Conceiçāo and Porto to bed. They've laid the ghost of the Tace da Liga and Benfica to bed. We've said goodbye and obrigado to Ruben Amorim and João Pereira. Long live the new King Rui Borges. Obrigado mister. What a man, what a smile. Obrigado to all the players for a special night, a special season. Obrigado Viktor Gyökeres, Hidemasa Morita, Jerry St Juste, Franco Israel if this is the last we see of you all at Sporting CP. You've all left on a high.

The final word of the final game of a long season goes to my man of the match Rui Silva. All evening long we heard the fans shout Ruiiii. We've had a world class save pushed onto the post. There's not much any keeper in the world could have done about the Kökcü strike. I kept writing all through December we need a new goalkeeper. He only missed two games after his signing, those in the Champions League before he could be registered. His arrival as much as that of the Mister brought with it the calm platform that would see Sporting win the double. What a signing. Sorry what a double signing. This is me signing off eight minutes short of six hours since kick off. Who knew I had so much to say.

Campeãos, Campeãos …

* I wrote that hopped up on dopamine off the top of my head. First game was the 1-0 Derbi win. It's been a long season, forgive me.