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SPO vs MCI
UEFA Champions League
Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon
vs
Manchester City
4
FT
1
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 4 - 1
That rounds things off from Lisbon. An excellent night in Europe for Sporting CP! For now, this is Nicholas Friedlander signing out.
City were exposed tonight. Without several key players, they were found desperately wanting both in the transition and in the final third. It looked like it would be a routine return to form when Phil Foden fired home, but it turned out to be anything but. They were done time and time again on the counter, and struggled to create anything against the set defence, with Savinho running the same left-footed shot to the far post on over half-a-dozen occasions without success. Had Erling Haaland slotted the penalty then perhaps they would have been able to get themselves back level, but that would have papered over the cracks. Kevin De Bruyne's return should fix their creativity issues, but the lack of a defensive midfielder remains a massive concern.
What a night for Sporting! After being dominated for the first thirty minutes, Viktor Gyokeres levelled them up, and from there, they did not look back. They scored two in three minutes to start the half, including Maxi Araujo's goal inside twenty seconds. That was impressive, because no City player touched the ball in a slick passing move, before the ball was belted between the legs of Ederson. City tried to find a way back, but the defence was well marshalled, and the threat on the break grew. They may not have dominated the statistics, but make no mistake, the win was deserved. Viktor Gyokeres belted home a late penalty to seal his hat-trick, reminding everyone why he is one of Europe's most sort after marksman.
A historic night for Sporting CP, who have thrashed Manchester City in their final home match under Ruben Amorim. It is an emotional stadium it is fair to say. Both happiness with the result tonight, and sadness that Amorim won't lead them at home again. He has well and truly gone out with a bang, annihilating one of Europe's best side with a great brand of football that will please a certain fanbase... and what better way to get your new employers onside than by thrashing their local rivals?! It is now three defeats on the spin for City, who are in somewhat of a mini-crisis.
90+5'
Gyokeres holds it up well in the corner to force a throw, with Sporting now looking to see out the last moments of the contest.
90+4'
City probe again, but again the final ball from De Bruyne is poor, as he bends it hopelessly into the gloves of Israel.
90+2'
Doku comes charging down the left, and forces a corner off of Quaresma. He runs over to take it quickly, working short for De Bruyne. He looked to hang it up to the back post, but just ends up shanking it into crowd.
90+1'
City look to keep it in close quarters, but it is all a little too cute, as the offside flag is eventually raised.
+5