In a stunning turn of events, Sporting CP thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League match at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick, while Maximiliano Araujo and Phil Foden also found the net1. This result marks Sporting’s first win over Manchester City and leaves Pep Guardiola’s side reeling from their third consecutive defeat.
Lineups
Manchester City: Goalkeeper: Ederson, Defenders: Lewis, Akanji, Gvardiol, Simpson-Pusey, Midfielders: De Bruyne, Kovacic, Silva, Foden, Forwards: Haaland, Mahrez.
Sporting CP: Goalkeeper: Israel, Defenders: Frimpong, Tapsoba, Hincapie, Quenda, Midfielders: Grimaldo, Palacios, Nunes, Moritak Forwards: Gyokeres, Trincao, Araujo
How the Match Unfolded
The match started with Manchester City taking an early lead. Phil Foden capitalized on a loose pass from Morita and fired a left-footed shot past Israel to give City the lead within the first five minutes. However, Sporting quickly responded, with Victor Gyokeres racing clear of the City defense to chip the ball over Ederson and level the score just before halftime.
The second half saw Sporting take control of the game. Maximiliano Araujo scored a stunning goal just seconds into the second half, followed by Gyokeres converting a penalty after Gvardiol fouled Trincao2. Haaland missed a penalty for City, hitting the crossbar, while Gyokeres converted another penalty to complete his hat-trick and put Sporting firmly in the lead.
Highlights from our #UCL defeat to Sporting ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/bwCvnnUlxe
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 6, 2024
Despite City’s efforts to mount a comeback, they could not break through Sporting’s defense. Kevin De Bruyne came on for the last 10 minutes, but it was too little too late as Sporting held on for the 4-1 win.
Post-Match Analysis
Sporting’s performance was a masterclass in resilience and counter-attacking football. Gyokeres’ hat-trick was a standout moment, showcasing his clinical finishing and ability to exploit defensive errors. The team’s defensive solidity and effective use of the counter-attack were key to their success.
Manchester City, on the other hand, struggled with defensive lapses and missed opportunities. Haaland’s missed penalty and the team’s inability to convert chances were major factors in their defeat. The loss leaves City with questions to answer as they look to bounce back in their next fixtures.
What the Coaches Said
Pep Guardiola: “We started well and took the lead early, but we couldn’t maintain our performance. Sporting played very well, and we need to learn from this defeat.“
Ruben Amorim: “I’m very proud of the team’s performance. We showed great character and determination. Viktor Gyokeres was outstanding, and I’m happy to leave on a high note.“
What’s Next
Sporting now sit second in their Champions League group with 10 points from four games. They will look to continue their strong form in the competition. On the other hand, Manchester City will aim to recover from this defeat as they prepare for their next Premier League fixture against Brighton.
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