Sporting beat Academica 1-0

Sporting Lisbon beat Academica 1-0 in the 18th round of the Portuguese football league at the Alvalade stadium here.

Sporting's midfielder Joao Mario scored in the 76th minute Sunday with a header, reports Xinhua,

Sporting are in third place. one point behind bitter rivals FC Porto.

The 'Lions' won for the fourth consecutive time this season, while Academica haven't won in 12 matches.

Sporting created few scoring chances in the first half, with Colombian forward Fredy Montero's header in the eighth minute going over the net.

French midfielder Adrien Silva's acrobatic effort hit the bar in the 53rd.