A 1-0 win over Aberdeen FC sees the Lions through to the Playoffs

Sporting Clube de Portugal made their way through to the Playoffs for the UEFA Europa League with a victory over Aberdeen FC, besting the Scottish side 1-0 in a single-leg Third Qualifying Round at the Estádio José Alvalade.

The Lions started well in what was their first official game of the 2020/2021 season, and were rewarded with a goal after just 8 minutes: after Wendel recovered the ball in the midfield, Vietto played to Tiago Tomás and the young striker took his opening opportunity to score.

The early goal allowed Sporting CP to settle in against an Aberdeen side who had already played eight official games. They controlled the pace of the contest and enjoyed several more chances to increase their advantage.

On 26 minutes a shot from outside the area from Matheus Nunes whistled wide, and in the 40th minute it was Jovane Cabral’s turn to go close, shooting from a Nuno Mendes corner and forcing Aberdeen FC goalkeeper Joe Lewis into a save.

Having gone into halftime 1-0 in front, after the restart the game slowed down and Sporting CP created fewer opportunities. They did have isolated looks on goal through Tiago Tomás, the closest of which saw him put Pedro Porro’s cross just over the crossbar.

Aberdeen began to take risks in search of an equaliser, and provided a scare with an effort by Hedges in the 87th minute, but it went wide and Sporting CP made their way safely through to the next round of the UEFA Europa League.

Next up is the Playoff, once again across a single leg, at the Estádio José Alvalade on October 1st. The opponents will be Austrian side LASK, with a place in the Group Stage at stake.