Liga Sagres: Sporting 2 Academica 1

Sporting Lisbon’s hopes of Champions League qualification remain alive after defeating lowly Academica 2-1 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Peruvian striker Andre Carrillo opened the scoring for the home side on thirty minutes but an own goal from Sporting defender Anderson Polga levelled proceedings just before the half-time break on Monday.

However, Ricardo Sa Pinto’s men secured all three points with less than 15 minutes remaining thanks to Ricky van Wolfswinkel’s 11th goal of the Liga Sagres campaign.

With two games of the season remaining, Sporting sit fourth, three points behind third-placed Braga, while Academica’s fifth consecutive defeat leaves them one point adrift of safety.

Next up for Sporting is a trip to face newly crowned champions Porto, before a potentially decisive showdown at home to Braga, with the final Champions League qualifying berth on the line.

Sporting then meet Academica again in the Taca de Portugal cup final on May 20.