Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Sporting CP beat Celtic 4-1 in a pre-season friendly in the Algarve. Daniel Bragança scored twice, while Camilo Duran netted on his Celtic debut.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Sporting dominated the opening half but had to wait until the 24th minute to break through. Geny Catamo finished a cutback from Gabriel Silva, slotting past Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo to make it 1-0 at the break. Ricardo Mangas and Catamo had earlier passed up presentable chances as Sporting controlled possession.
Celtic's best moment of the first half arrived when Luke McCowan dragged wide from six yards after being picked out by Callum Osmand — a miss that left the midfielder with his head in his hands.
Both sides made wholesale changes at half-time. Celtic introduced Arne Engels and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while Sporting rotated almost their entire XI. The game opened up significantly after the break.
Camilo Duran, Celtic's £6m summer signing from Qarabag, equalised in the 69th minute. The Colombian chased down Sporting captain Eduardo Quaresma, robbed possession, and blasted into the net — a debut goal inside 10 minutes of entering the pitch.
The Turning Point
Celtic's leveller lasted only three minutes. A mix-up between substitute goalkeeper Ross Doohan and defender Dane Murray allowed Daniel Bragança to prod home from close range in the 72nd minute. The goal deflated the Hoops and triggered a Sporting avalanche.
Ricardo Mangas made it 3-1 in the 75th minute, smashing in after Doohan parried Rafael Ferreira Nel's initial effort. Bragança completed his brace four minutes later, cutting onto his right foot and placing a low shot into the bottom corner from a cutback.
Key Performers
Daniel Bragança (Sporting CP) — Player of the Match. The Portuguese midfielder scored twice in seven minutes (72', 79') and was a constant threat after coming on at half-time. His movement between the lines caused Celtic's reshuffled defence persistent problems.
Geny Catamo (Sporting CP) — Opened the scoring with a composed finish and tormented stand-in left-back Liam Scales throughout the first half with his direct running.
Camilo Duran (Celtic) — A bright note on a difficult night for the visitors. The Colombian's smart pressing and composure to finish on his debut will encourage Martin O'Neill and the Celtic support.
Ricardo Mangas (Sporting CP) — Caused chaos down the left flank, registered a goal and created several chances before being substituted in the 78th minute.
By the Numbers — Interpreted
Sporting's three-goal burst between the 72nd and 79th minutes — a span of just seven minutes — turned a competitive friendly into a comprehensive win. The timing coincided with Celtic's ninth and tenth substitutions of the night, which disrupted defensive cohesion. Deputy goalkeeper Ross Doohan was involved in two of the three second-half goals conceded, with a misplaced clearance and a parried shot that fell to Mangas.
Celtic's best spell arrived immediately after Duran's equaliser, lasting roughly 120 seconds before Sporting retook control. The Hoops managed only one shot on target in the second half — Duran's goal — against a Sporting side that had already rotated heavily.
What It Means
For Sporting CP, the win extends their unbeaten pre-season run and provides a confidence boost ahead of the new Liga Portugal campaign. The depth on display, with a second-half XI featuring entirely different personnel, underlines the squad options available to their manager.
Celtic wrap up their week-long Algarve training camp with a sobering result. Martin O'Neill's side remain without their World Cup contingent — including Kieran Tierney, Alistair Johnston, Daizen Maeda and Benjamin Nygren — who are expected back next week. The Hoops face Middlesbrough this weekend and AC Milan on 21 July in their final pre-season fixtures before the Scottish Premiership kicks off in a fortnight.
Verdict
A scoreline that flattered no one. Sporting were sharper, more cohesive and ruthlessly efficient in a seven-minute spell that decided the game. Celtic's glaring lack of first-team regulars was evident, but the defensive errors that followed Duran's promising equaliser will concern O'Neill. The Colombian's debut goal was the one genuine positive from a night that underscored how much work remains before the competitive season begins.
Match Events
Key match events between Sporting CP and Celtic — 5 goals and 2 cards recorded during the match.
Rivalry since 2025
Sporting CP vs Celtic Head to Head Results· 1
Sporting CP and Celtic have met 1 times — Sporting CP won 0, Celtic won 1, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2025. Celtic leads the head-to-head with 1 victory from 1 meeting. A combined 2 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.00 per match (0 for the home side, 2 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 0 matches (0%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 0 games (0%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 0–2 in 2025.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 15 Jul 2026

