In a sensational Champions League performance, Sporting CP delivered a memorable 4-1 victory over Manchester City, powered by a hat-trick from Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres. This stunning win marked a perfect send-off for coach Ruben Amorim in his last home game for Sporting before taking on a new challenge as Manchester United manager. Despite City’s early dominance, Sporting staged a powerful comeback, taking full advantage of their second-half opportunities to secure one of their most celebrated wins in recent history.
The victory in Lisbon left the Estadio Jose Alvalade crowd in raptures and saw Sporting maintain their strong position in the Champions League group stage. The result also handed City their first loss in this year’s competition and extended their losing streak across all competitions to three games, raising questions about their form.
First Half: Foden Strikes, Gyökeres Answers
Manchester City started the game with intensity, pressing high and looking dangerous in possession. Phil Foden took advantage of Sporting’s early defensive lapse, scoring just four minutes in after intercepting the ball deep in Sporting’s half and firing a powerful shot past Franco Israel. This early goal set the tone for a half where City appeared poised to dominate, with multiple chances to extend their lead.
Erling Haaland, however, struggled to find his usual sharpness, missing several opportunities. Bernardo Silva also came close to scoring, but City could not capitalize further. Meanwhile, Gyökeres missed an early chance but remained composed, waiting for the right moment. In the 38th minute, he received a perfectly timed pass from Geovany Quenda and didn’t hesitate, striking the ball low and hard to beat City’s goalkeeper Ederson. The equalizer shifted the momentum, and the Sporting fans sensed a possible upset.
Second Half: Sporting’s Domination Begins
The second half opened with Sporting immediately on the offensive, catching City off guard. Within minutes, Maximiliano Araújo finished off a well-executed team move, putting Sporting ahead just after the restart. This goal unsettled City, who seemed emotionally rattled by the swift turnaround. Soon after, a careless foul by Josko Gvardiol on Francisco Trincao inside the box awarded Sporting their first penalty of the night. Gyökeres stepped up confidently, converting the penalty and giving Sporting a comfortable two-goal cushion.
City had a chance to regain their footing when they were awarded a penalty. However, Haaland’s uncharacteristic miss from the spot — hitting the crossbar — was a telling moment. This missed opportunity seemed to deflate City further, as they failed to find a way back into the game. Sporting, meanwhile, remained relentless.
Gyökeres Completes His Hat-Trick, Sealing Sporting’s Triumph
As the match approached the final stages, Lisbon continued to push, determined to make the most of their lead. In the 81st minute, Matheus Nunes committed a clumsy foul on Geny Catamo, granting Sporting their second penalty. Once again, Gyökeres took the responsibility and expertly slotted the ball past Ederson, completing his hat-trick and cementing Sporting’s emphatic win. This made Gyökeres the first Swedish player to score a Champions League hat-trick since Zlatan Ibrahimović in 2013, etching his name in European football history.
Viktor Gyökeres extends Sporting’s lead from the spot
@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/pmcpSI6t7G
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 5, 2024
Gyökeres’ stunning performance earned him the Player of the Match title, and his contributions have been instrumental in Sporting’s impressive Champions League campaign so far. With this victory, Sporting now holds second place in their group with ten points, trailing only Liverpool.
Ruben Amorim’s Final Home Game and a Lap of Honour
The night was particularly special for coach Ruben Amorim, who will take over as Manchester United manager on November 11. The 39-year-old, who has guided Sporting to remarkable success in recent years, took a lap of honor after the game to acknowledge the fans and their unwavering support. Sporting has enjoyed a perfect start to their domestic season under his leadership, and he leaves the club in a strong position in the Champions League.
Sporting fans thanking Ruben Amorim before the game against Manchester City
90 minutes later, Sporting put four past Pep Guardiola’s side to win 4-1 pic.twitter.com/hucD6re9gx
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 5, 2024
Amorim’s tactical acumen was on full display in this match, as he adapted to City’s early dominance and adjusted his team’s approach to exploit City’s defensive vulnerabilities. This tactical flexibility and his ability to inspire players like Gyökeres will be assets as he prepares to join the Premier League, where he’ll soon encounter top teams, including City, on a regular basis.
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Manchester City’s Struggles and Guardiola’s Reflection
City’s loss in Lisbon extends their worst losing run since 2018 and raises questions about the team’s current form. Injuries have plagued Pep Guardiola’s squad, but even with key players missing, the team’s inability to respond in the second half was concerning. Guardiola acknowledged his team’s struggles, saying, “We made a fantastic first half but struggled to score, we missed the simple passes. The second half we were emotionally not stable enough.”
City’s defensive errors and missed chances ultimately cost them the game. Guardiola’s comments suggest a need for greater composure, especially as City faces crucial fixtures in both the Premier League and Champions League. With only seven points in the group stage, City will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to secure their place in the knockout rounds.
Champions League Group Standings and What’s Next
With this victory, Lisbon has strengthened its position in the group, moving to ten points and remaining firmly in contention for the knockout stages. Liverpool currently tops the group, while City sits third, with some work left to do to secure advancement.
| The Champions League points table as it stands after the conclusion of tonight’s fixtures. pic.twitter.com/qtuOFg4PFA
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) November 5, 2024
For City, the upcoming matches in the Champions League are critical. They will need to overcome their recent slump and return to their winning ways if they aim to keep their Champions League ambitions alive. Meanwhile, Sporting heads into their next fixture with confidence, fueled by their impressive showing against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
A Night to Remember for Sporting and Gyökeres
Sporting CP’s 4-1 victory over Manchester City will go down as a historic moment for the club, showcasing both team resilience and individual brilliance. Viktor Gyökeres’ hat-trick and Ruben Amorim’s tactical prowess delivered a statement win, proving that Sporting is a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League. For Gyökeres, this match was a breakout performance, as he emerged as the first Swede to net a Champions League hat-trick since Zlatan Ibrahimović.
As Amorim departs for Manchester United, he leaves Sporting in a strong position, both domestically and in Europe. For Manchester City, the loss is a wake-up call as they navigate their recent struggles and work to regain form in their upcoming matches. Sporting’s victory is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the Champions League, where any team can rise to the occasion and make their mark.
