Sporting CP Women produced a late comeback to defeat SCU Torreense Women 3-2 in a compelling Campeonato Nacional Feminino clash, preserving their momentum in the Portuguese title race. Trailing deep into the second half, Sporting found the character and quality needed to turn the match around, with a stoppage-time winner sealing a dramatic victory.

Match overview

Sporting CP Women dominated possession from the opening whistle, pushing Torreense back and creating chances through wide combinations and quick rotations in midfield. The visitors, though, were organised and dangerous on the counterattack, and they punished Sporting’s high line with two well-taken goals that threatened to produce an upset.

The home side took an early lead when Diana Silva finished confidently after being picked out inside the area. Torreense responded well, equalising through Mafalda Marujo before taking a shock lead shortly after half-time when Beatriz Rodrigues converted from a swift break. Sporting increased the tempo thereafter, and the pressure finally told.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Diana Silva opens the scoring for Sporting CP Women.
• 24th minute: Mafalda Marujo equalises for SCU Torreense Women.
• 55th minute: Beatriz Rodrigues puts Torreense 2-1 ahead on the counter.
• 78th minute: Ana Capeta levels for Sporting after sustained pressure.
• 90+2: Joana Martins scores the winner for the home side.

Tactical story

Sporting’s approach was built on control and width. The full-backs pushed high, the midfielders recycled possession quickly, and Diana Silva drifted across the front line to create mismatches. That dominance, however, left space behind for Torreense, whose compact block and fast breaks made them a constant threat.

The decisive adjustment came in the final twenty minutes, when Sporting moved the ball more directly and committed more bodies into the box. Torreense, forced deeper, could no longer spring the same counterattacks, and Sporting’s pressure eventually produced both the equaliser and the winner.

Standout players

Diana Silva led the line with intelligence and scored the opening goal, while Ana Capeta was instrumental in the comeback, equalising at a crucial moment. Joana Martins delivered the decisive strike and showed composure under pressure. For Torreense, Beatriz Rodrigues was excellent on the break, and Mafalda Marujo took her goal well.

What the result means

The win keeps Sporting CP Women firmly in the conversation at the top of the Campeonato Nacional Feminino and underlines their ability to grind out results even when not at their fluent best. For SCU Torreense Women, the defeat is a painful one after a brave performance, but their attacking display suggests they can trouble more established sides this season. Sporting will take confidence from the resilience shown, while Torreense must recover quickly from a late setback.