The Lions dominated the Match

Sporting CP guaranteed the qualification to the round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League after scoring 4 goals against PSV, on the 5th round of the Group Stage. Bruno Fernandes (2), Luiz Phellype and Jérémy Mathieu scored the goals for the green and white team. 

The Lions managed to play a fabulous first half and sealed the win before half-time by scoring 3 of the 4 goals of the match. The first goal happened after a side throw by Marcos Acuña towards Bruno Fernandes, who promptly crossed the ball to Luiz Phellype who, with a perfect header, managed to put the ball inside the net. 

Shortly after, the green and white team scored the second goal. Bruno Fernandes gained the ball outside the box and with a powerfull shot scored another amazing goal for Sporting CP.

Although PSV tried to react, the Lions managed to net a third goal at minute 42 of the first half. This time, after a corner kick taken by Bruno Fernandes, Mathieu scored a truly fantastic goal with an acrobátic gesture.

The fourth goal appeared after a penalty suffered by Acuña. The man of the moment, Bruno Fernandes, made sure it was our fourth goal of the match.

Meanwhile, Maximiano was playing his first UEL game for Sporting CP and made some impressive saves. The entire stadium was impressed by him, a goalkeeper who is the latest "product" of the World renowned Sporting Academy.

Sporting CP Team: Luís Maximiano, Valentin Rosier, Tiago Ilori, Jérémy Mathieu (Luís Neto, 73 minutes), Marcos Acuña, Idrissa Doumbia, Wendel (Rafael Camacho, 80 minutes), Bruno Fernandes (C), Yannick Bolasie, Luciano Vietto e Luiz Phellype (Jesé Rodríguez, 67 minutes).

Bryan Ruiz brushes off results to focus on pre-season positives

Bryan Ruiz took a moment to speak with the press after Sporting's loss to PSV this week.

"We played against a really good side. We let a goal in really quick and also had a player sent off. It is really hard to play with 10 men from the 34th minute until the end of the match, but now we have to psh on and get some results. We are tired and it is normal that we aren't at our best right now", said the Costa Rican.

Assistant coach Raul José also spoke with Sporting TV at the final whistle, touching on the evening's refereeing: "The referee could have analysed the situation differently and not spoiled the match. We will take some notes and have a good week of training out of this. Honestly we aren't worried about winning right now and we are focused on getting the lads up to speed. We will look at a few situations ahead of the start of the season and look to win the competitions that we are involved in."

Early goal in Lausanne dictates loss in last match of Switzerland pre-season

Sporting's last match in Lausanne got off to the worse possible start this Monday night, with Luuk de Jong putting the Dutch side ahead from the penalty spot after five minutes. The foul leading to the spot kick was debatable and a reaction from Jorge Jesus' side was expected, but Sporting struggled to find a foothold and on 21 minutes Locadia made it 2-0 for PSV after with a simple tap in after De Jong had made the most out of a positional mistake from João Pereira.

Referee Sascha Amhof did attract his fair share of attention as time ticked over, particularly on the half-hour mark, when Matheus Pereira did well to dribble past two defenders before being brought crashing down in the area. However, the afternoon's official waved away the penalty appeals. Despite trailing right from the off, Sporting's fans kept up the noise for the entire encounter, in a show of support that completely overshadowed what was a final heavy 5-0 defeat.