CF Estrela da Amadora vs Sporting CP

Sporting CP looked set to launch their title defence with a routine win at Estrela, racing into a two-goal lead inside an hour, only to watch it slip away in a dramatic second-half collapse at Estádio José Gomes. The 2-2 draw leaves both sides sharing the points on the opening weekend of the Primeira Liga. Rodrigo Zalazar announced himself on his debut with a well-taken strike right after the break in the 46th minute, then turned provider for Fotis Ioannidis to make it 2-0 in the 59th. Estrela refused to fold, though: Leandro Antonetti, also on his official debut, halved the deficit in the 72nd minute before Beni Souza completed the comeback with an 84th-minute equalizer. Yellow cards were shown to Eddy Doué, Luis Suárez, Jesse Derry and Souza, but no one saw red as Estrela pushed hard for a winner in stoppage time. For Sporting CP, it's a frustrating start that will raise questions about their defensive resolve despite bright individual displays from their new signings. Estrela, by contrast, can take real encouragement from showing the character to claw back a two-goal deficit against the reigning champions on matchday one.