Sporting Lisbon loses ground after home draw in Portuguese league

LISBON: Sporting Lisbon lost ground to leader Porto after being held by Braga to a 2-2 draw in the Portuguese league on Sunday.

The result left Sporting four points behind Porto, which defeated Belenenses 2-0 on Saturday.

Bas Dost opened the scoring for Sporting in the 66th minute, but visiting Braga rallied with goals from Dyego Sousa in the 85th and Danilo four minutes later.

Bruno Fernandes salvaged the draw by converting a penalty kick deep in injury time.

Braga remained in fourth place, nine points off the lead.

Also Sunday, defending champion Benfica moved within five points of Porto with a 3-1 win at Vitoria Guimaraes.