Sporting Lisbon have drawn level on points with Primeira Liga leaders Porto thanks to a last-ditch 1-0 win against Nacional in Monday's clash at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
As expected, the Lisbon giants were quickest off the starting blocks, with a penalty appeal in the first minute that was waved away.
Islam Slimani then burst into the area but was stoutly thwarted by the Nacional defence, before Gelson Martins registered the first concrete chance of the match with a ferocious drive that edged wide of the post.
The visitors left themselves with a mountain to climb when Nuno Sequeira was given his marching orders just after the half-hour mark, accruing a second yellow with a challenge on Slimani.
Despite having 10 men for nearly an hour, Nacional held firm and were on the verge of claiming a valuable point against Jorge Jesus's side.
However, with just five minutes left to play, a burst into the box led to the ball being squared to Fredy Montero, who rifled a low shot into the far corner to give the hosts all three points right at the death.
The result sees Sporting edge level with Porto on 13 points in the Primeira Liga table, while Nacional remain 10th.
