Sporting qualified today for the futsal league final by thrashing Sporting de Braga 7-2 at Pavilhão João Rocha in Lisbon during the third match of the semifinals, setting up a clash with Benfica. Following a 4-2 victory in the opening game and a defeat in the second match, which was decided on penalties (5-4) after a 3-3 draw in regular time, the “Lions” completely dominated the decisive showdown.
Zicky Té in the 7th minute, Diogo Santos in the 10th, Tomás Paçó in the 11th, Bruno Pinto in the 17th, 28th, and 33rd, and Alex Berlim in the 34th scored for Sporting. Meanwhile, Mamadú Turé in the 2nd minute and Luís Fernandes in the 12th scored for the Braga side.
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Benfica, the winners of the league’s regular season, had already secured their spot on Wednesday by defeating Leões Porto Salvo 4-3 at home in the second game, following a 4-0 away triumph in the first match.
The final will bring face to face the two most titled clubs in Portuguese futsal history. Sporting, with 19 championships, is looking for its 20th title, while the reigning champions Benfica, with nine, will try to reach their 10th. The best-of-five final series begins on Friday at Benfica’s home court.
