Sporting Club 3-2 Roma: Pellegrini strike not enough

The Giallorossi twice fought back from deficits to level things up at the Estadio Algarve, only to see their unbeaten start to pre-season come to an end after conceding to substitute Bruno Tabata in the final few minutes.

After an early penalty from Pedro Goncalves put the nominal hosts ahead, an own goal from Goncalo Inacio from a corner moments later quickly restored parity.

Inacio then notched at the correct end to start off the second half on the right foot, before Lorenzo Pellegrini made it 2-2 with a nerveless close range fitness.

That set the stage for a ferociously-fought final 20 minutes or so, with Tabata's low strike ultimately deciding the contest.

The Giallorossi have one more game remaining of this leg of their pre-season preparations - they face French side OGC Nice back in Albufeira on Saturday evening.