Script:

Sporting led Vitoria Guimaraes 2-0 in their Portuguese League fixture, when referee Rui Costa pulled a thigh muscle five minutes into the second half.

Assisted by medics, the strapping wasn't enough to solve the problem, and he couldn't carry on.

That meant it was now up to fourth official, Helder Malheiro, who had never refereed a top-flight match before, to step up to the plate and replace him.

Just two minutes into the 35-year-old's refereeing debut, he had an important decision to make as Guimaraes midfielder Bakary Bouba Sare fouled Gelson Martins.

Malheiro showed him a straight red card and, despite protests from the visitors, it did indeed prove to be the right decision.

Bouba Sare had caught his man late and high with a dangerous challenge.

Malheiro's sound judgement was respected by both sides.

And Sporting went on to win 5-1.