​Sporting CP fall 0-5 to the English giants in the Round of 16

Sporting Clube de Portugal suffered a heavy defeat at home in the Champions League Round of 16, beaten 0-5 in the first leg of their tie against Manchester City.

Rúben Amorim once again adjusted his starting XI for the contest, fielding Antonio Adán, Matheus Reis, Sebastián Coates, Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Ricardo Esgaio, Pablo Sarabia, Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves.

The opening goal arrived on 7 minutes, from a move that initially appeared to be offside. A cutback from Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne found Riyad Mahrez, who slotted the ball into the net. A long check of VAR followed, with the goal eventually given.

City made it 0-2 in the 17th minute, following a corner. Rodri knocked the ball back for Bernardo Silva -one of four Portuguese players to feature for the visitors- and he hit a shot on the bounce past Adán.

Although trailing 0-2, Sporting CP were not intimidated and tried to stay true to their identity, but could not reach the opposition goal. In the 21st minute, Pedro Gonçalves reached the edge of the area and, with no pass available, ended up shooting wide.

On the half-hour, Ricardo Esgaio also had a good opportunity, after a long ball from Pedro Porro to Paulinho; he crossed to the left side of the area, but Esgaio's shot blazed over the crossbar.

Whilst Manchester City were frequently giving the ball away, they proved to be effective in front of goal. In the 32nd minute, Phil Foden ran in from behind Sebastián Coates and poked the ball into the net. Just before half time, Bernardo Silva hit a deflected shot on the break, taking the score to 0-4 at half time.

At the beginning of the second half, and after a goal was disallowed for offside by Bernardo Silva, Rúben Amorim made a change: On came Manuel Ugarte, in place of Pedro Gonçalves.

The scoring was completed in the 58th minute, as the visiting team made it 0-5 through a Raheem Sterling shot from the edge of the area.

Slimani and Bruno Tabata would replace Paulinho and Pablo Sarabia before the end, then Pedro Porro's made way for Luís Neto, but there was to be no consolation goal. Despite the support of 48,129 fans at the Estádio José Alvalade, Sporting CP would suffer a tough defeat.

The team return to action on Sunday, in Liga Portugal, against GD Estoril Praia.