A 2-3 win against Athletic Club takes the team into the Champions League knockout stage

Sporting Clube de Portugal went straight into the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 thanks to a sensational turnaround against Athletic Club, winning 3-2 in Bilbao on the final matchday of the league phase.

The victory was the club's first ever on Spanish soil, and came thanks to a stoppage time goal from Alisson Santos.

Rui Borges made changes to the starting XI in the Basque country, with Matheus Reis and Luís Guilherme making way for Ousmane Diomande and Daniel Bragança.

Highly motivated after their unexpected victory away to Atalanta BC on the previous matchday of the competition, Athletic Club had their last roll of the dice to avoid elimination.

The home side's attacking attitude resulted in a goal just 3 minutes after the opening whistle, when the ball fell to Oihan Sancet. The striker shot and scored to put Athletic Club in front.

Sancet tried his luck again in the 7th minute, but put his effort off-target. At the other end, Sporting CP finally managed to play out from the back, but Francisco Trincão's final pass didn't quite find Luis Suárez.

Seeking to steady the game, Sporting CP found the necessary formula in the 12th minute: From a corner, Maxi Araújo put the ball into the area and Diomande, who hadn't played club football for over a month, headed in to equalise.

From that moment on, the intensity dipped, with Sporting CP dominating.

Athletic's Sancet shot again, but Diomande blocked the strike to keep things even.

Goal opportunities were scarce, and the 26th minute brought a setback for Sporting CP with an injury to Gonçalo Inácio. Matheus Reis was brought on to replace him, and experienced misfortune shortly after: Gorka Guruzeta took advantage of a lost ball, hit the post and then converted the rebound to make it 2-1.

Athletic Club fullback Yuri Berchiche's header went well wide before halftime, in the only other chance of note.

The first dangerous attack after the break came from the hosts, with Iñigo Ruiz De Galarreta striking from distance off a direct free kick, shooting just outside the post.

In response, also from outside the area, Morten Hjulmand forced Unai Simón into a save.

In the 53rd minute, Rui Borges made a triple substitution, bringing on Pedro Gonçalves, Eduardo Quaresma, and Hidemasa Morita, and taking off Daniel Bragança, João Simões, and Ousmane Diomande.

Chasing the deficit, Sporting CP were more dominant, whilst their opponents relied more on counterattacks. Gradually, greater possession translated into closer attacks on goal. In one instance, after a good move and cross from Maxi Araújo, Geny Catamo mishit the ball and shot over from a good position.

However, in the following minute (62'), Sporting CP managed to make it 2-2. After attacking through the middle, they benefitted from an incomplete clearance by a defender, leaving the ball for Francisco Trincão. He went through on Unai Simón and took the opportunity.

Catamo's dangerous shot forced an excellent save from Unai Simón in the 71st minute, and Luis Suárez had a goal disallowed for offside shortly afterwards.

A penalty decision for a foul on Catamo was , reversed after consulting VAR. Pedro Gonçalves shot wide, and then Sporting CP had to withstand a push upfield from Athletic Club.

Allison Santos had been brought on by Rui Borges, and had a big impact on the result.

After a corner for the home team, Rui Silva intercepted and launched Sporting CP into a counter-attack, which ended with Luis Suárez going one-on-one with Unai Simón. The goalkeeper made the save, but the rebound landed at the feet of Alisson Santos, who managed to control and score the historic goal to make it 2-3 just before the final whistle.

The superb result put Sporting CP directly into the Round of 16 of the competition, the draw for which will take place on February 27th.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande (Eduardo Quaresma, 53'), Gonçalo Inácio (Matheus Reis, 26'), Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões (Hidemasa Morita, 53'), Geny Catamo, Daniel Bragança (Pedro Gonçalves, 53'), Francisco Trincão (Alisson Santos, 87') and Luis Suárez.

The goalkeeper looks ahead to the Champions League tie

Rui Silva previewed the game against Athletic Club in a pre-match press conference in Spain, and reflected on his previous experiences of playing at San Mames.

Previewing the game
"I've had the opportunity to play several times in this stadium, which has an incredible atmosphere. I know the difficulties we will face and I've spoken about it with some of my teammates. We represent a great club, so we are used to this type of atmosphere."

Confidence
"Confidence and motivation are intrinsic to Sporting CP. We had a great game against Paris Saint-Germain and confidence is high, but tomorrow will be a new game and a very important challenge that could put us among the Top 8 in Europe."

Athletic Club
"LaLiga in Spain is very demanding. Athletic Club may not be having the season they want, but they have a lot of quality and excellent players. They highly value the players from the region, and it's a great club. They are very quick in transition and also like to have the ball. We are prepared for this and for the atmosphere we will encounter."

Playing in big games
"I feel very proud. It's great to be able to play in the UEFA Champions League. All players aspire to this and I'm no exception. It's very rewarding to represent this club and play in this competition."

Sporting CP winning in Spain for the first time
"Tomorrow we have a great opportunity to break this tradition. It's not easy to play here, but the focus is on achieving victory. We have to control what depends on us and have a good game in order to win."

The coach talks about Sporting CP's game against Athletic Club

Rui Borges answered journalists' questions at San Mamés ahead of Sporting Clube de Portugal's game against Athletic Club.

Previewing the game
"The past is in the past. I'm very focused on what we can do tomorrow. The group want to do something that will go down in the club's history, which is to finish in the Top 8. Even by winning, we still might not achieve it, but we have to be true to ourselves. We are up against a great team, with a stadium and identity that is very unique. We know all the difficulties ahead and that it will be a tough game, but we will try to do our best and see what happens. If we finish in the Top 8, it would be very good. If not, then it will have been good all the same. Nothing will erase the team's fantastic journey."

Nuno Santos' return to training
"It has a big impact on us. I've spoken several times about Nuno, who makes a daily impression on the group. He's experienced and very important to the group, because of everything he is as a sportsman and as a person. I'm happy to see him in training. He energises everyone and doesn't let anyone switch off. With everything he's won at Sporting CP and his history at the club, he's extremely important. Today, at the beginning of training, it was noticeable. He's a true warrior, there are very few people capable of overcoming what he has overcome. I'm happy to be able to have him available. He adds a lot to the team, and he's an example to follow."

Sporting CP's personality
"We will be a Sporting CP true to ourselves. We will be pressing at certain moments of the game and when we aren't, it's because the opposition have the quality to push us into a medium-low block. We won't stray from our identity and gameplan."

A possible two playoff games
"In terms of the calendar, it would be great not to have to play them. It would be very good to have the team more prepared and capable, and to control any excess workload, but we won't go into the game thinking about that. We will only think about winning and making history."

European ambitions
"The dream is to win tomorrow, I'm not going to stray from that. Dreams will materialise according to what we are able to do along the way. Tomorrow we will face a great team away from home, and if we manage to overcome them we will see what the consequences will be. Finishing in the Top 8 would be extraordinary, but if we don't, it will still be extraordinary -because we face great teams and never lower our level."

Central defenders
"We have to get Ousmane Diomande as fit as possible. Eduardo Quaresma has shown positive signs and it is necessary to highlight his willingness to train and be an option. He is highly motivated to help the team, even when he was injured. Adaptation to the mask he will wear will happen over time, naturally. Regarding Zeno Debast, we thought it best to take care with his condition."

UEFA Champions League points
"The key game was the first one, against FC Kairat, at home. We showed humility. The players know very well the competition we are in and have a lot of ambition in all the competitions we contest."

Preparation for the match
"Athletic Club are very good at transitions, they are very well organised. They activate the press very well and recover a lot of balls in the attacking midfield. They have a medium block at times and have players who make the difference on the counterattack. We prepared more for the collective than for the individuals. Of course, they will leave gaps, just like us."

His journey over the years
"Evolution is part of everything that is happening to us and the daily challenges that force us to grow. The growth must have been good because we arrived at Sporting CP. Just recently Fernando [Morato, a member of the coaching staff] was showing me photos from that year and we were laughing. Back then, nobody would have guessed that today we would be competing in the UEFA Champions League with Sporting CP, at a great stadium and against a great team. Every club we've been at has been important for our growth, and I'm grateful to all of them; the challenge has always been different. We are constantly developing, learning daily from players and staff, from everyone who works at the club. It all started when I was 26 years old and began coaching the youth teams at SC Mirandela."

The key to overcoming Athletic Club
"Understanding the moments that come up in the game and what to do in each one, given the quality of Athletic Club and the atmosphere, will be vital. Considering everything we've been able to achieve in Liga Portugal and the UEFA Champions League, it's natural to say we've been very strong offensively, but we've also been strong defensively. That balance is what we need to have tomorrow against a team that want to win to advance to the playoffs. Athletic Club are very well-coached and have a great manager. Mentally, we have to understand the moments of the game and deal with the atmosphere and Athletic Club's desire to win. They are very strong in transitions, and we have to be careful, even though we like to have the ball.

How he defines himself as a coach and as a person
"I feel like a very simple person and my Casio watch is always there on my wrist. It reminds me of my journey, where I came from and how much it took me to get here. Just because I'm here now doesn't mean I'm going to have a 500 or 1000 euro watch. I'm simple, honest, and direct. I'll always be like that, I can't be any other way. I don't forget those who helped me and I will always be grateful."

The coach looks back on the win against FC Arouca

Following the 1-2 win against FC Arouca, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges spoke in his post-match press conference.

Analysis of the game
“I want to thank the fans, because they were tireless in their support. They have been incredible, always. It is largely thanks to the energy they transmitted that we achieved this difficult victory, but I think it was a deserved one because of everything we did throughout the game. The first ten minutes of the second half could have been costly for us. FC Arouca could have turned the game around, but Rui [Silva] made a great save. Apart from that, we controlled play, we tried to create chances and we could have finished them off better. At halftime, we warned the players about this, because we knew it was important to start well, but we didn't do so and FC Arouca grew stronger. Then we looked for the winner; always believing, changing things up and trying to add something different."

The importance of changing mentality from the UEFA Champions League to Liga Portugal
“It's an unknown, no matter how much we try to keep alert. The message was very much along those lines, yesterday, today and at halftime. We knew it was going to be difficult because of the weather, the pitch, and our accumulated fatigue. It was always going to be a game that would demand much more from us than the PSG game. A lot of that depends on the players individually too; we can warn them and show them that the game will be difficult. They were switched on, we started very well and the first half was very good. Then, inexplicably, we started poorly in the second half and those ten minutes could have cost us the game -but it didn't."

The attempted positional changes in attack and Luís Guilherme's performance
“He's a very talented player. We know what he's capable of, but we're all still learning. He depends on the team and vice-versa, so we're trying to understand what he can offer within the collective. Due to absences, we thought playing him on the left side could be the initial solution, but he also gives us options on the right and inside. He was good initially in the middle, but was a little too far back, and Trincão also understands those areas well. When the goal was scored, Trincão was higher up, he trapped the full-back and the ball went in behind Maxi Araújo."

Luis Suárez's goals
“I said he would define an era here because, when we identified him as a target, we knew what he could give us. The goals he scores are a consequence of his hard work. His competitive attitude is outstanding. More than the goals, the important thing is that game after game he doesn't let this attitude diminish. That has been important. He has an instinct for goal and an enormous ambition to score.”

Matheus Reis's red card
“I don’t know what happened. Everyone celebrated in the heat of the moment, I don’t know if he said anything. Since everyone came onto the pitch, I don’t know what occurred. Here and there, FC Arouca wasted some time restarting play, and it’s normal that people might be more stressed, but I don’t know what happened.”

Pedro Gonçalves’s return from injury
“Pote, Ousmane [Diomande], Zeno [Debast] are limited in the playing time I can give them. Regarding the position he played, it was my reading of the moment. Trincão has been sacrificing himself for the team in every game, playing many minutes, and it’s natural that he feels more fatigued. We felt that and put Pote in there, because that’s his position too. He came in very well, he’s very intelligent, and I’m happy to have everyone back, because they make the team much stronger. I took Matheus off and put Zeno on because he has good decision-making and could help us find deeper passing lanes against FC Arouca's low-to-medium defensive block."

The forward scores an injury time winner for a 2-1 triumph

Sporting CP returned to Liga Portugal action with a 1-2 victory over FC Arouca on Matchday 19, as the in-form Luis Suárez scored a 96th minute winner to earn all three points. The striker repeated his brace from the fantastic Champions League triumph over Paris Saint-Germain to cap a memorable week.

To overcome a struggling FC Arouca side who had earned eight points from the last 17 in play, coach Rui Borges made two changes to the starting XI from the game against PSG. Captain Morten Hjulmand returned from back-to-back suspensions in domestic and European competition, and replaced Hidemasa Morita, whilst winger Luís Guilherme came in for Ricardo Mangas -whose left-back position was taken up by Maxi Araújo.

The biggest news, however, came on the bench, with Ousmane Diomande and Pedro Gonçalves back available.

Thee game began with Sporting CP taking control and their attacks gradually gaining momentum. Suárez made the first foray into the area, followed by Geny Catamo's weak shot that was easily saved by Ignacio De Arruabarrena.

Two low crosses almost caused more harm, but FC Arouca managed defensive clearances in time. Around the 20-minute mark, Sporting CP upped the pressure: A pass from Gonçalo Inácio set up Suárez, who successfully rounded the goalkeeper, but when he tried to set himself up to finish, the angle narrowed and he shot wide.

Although they maintained dominance, Sporting CP lacked some sharpness, and looked for more offensive unpredictability by switching positions. Luís Guilherme moved from the left to the right, Francisco Trincão was pushed to the left, and Catamo slipped inside, closer to the striker. After Trincão shot over the bar from a good position, FC Arouca attacked for the first time, and Barbero's deflected effort off-target was promptly ruled offside.

Then, almost immediately afterwards, Luis Suárez came up with the opening goal. The forward, who has scored in five of his last six games, broke the deadlock in the 35th minute: Maxi Araújo surged down the wing, received the ball near the byline, returned it to the Colombian striker, and Suárez cut inside to fire a powerful drive into the back of the net.

The advantage did not last long into the second half, as only three minutes after the restart FC Arouca sprung a surprise. Naïs Djouahra threatened with a hit that Rui Silva contained, and after that warning a long cross found José Fontán at the far post. He headed the ball down for Barbero's point-blank shot across the line to level.

A second rain shower rain returned for a moment, making the game yet more difficult as the chances evened out. Rui Silva's reflexes were required to deny Djouahra after he escaped his marker, in another dangerous moment.

Sporting CP's immediate reaction came in the form of a wild attempt by Iván Fresneda, and Rui Borges decided to make a substitution. Pedro Gonçalves returned after almost two months out through injury, along with Morita, for Trincão and João Simões.

As the minutes ticked by, FC Arouca tightened their defence even further. Allison Santos and Zeno Debast provided inspiration, albeit without success, and
while in the final stretch it was the home team that first used a corner to threaten. At the other end, Arruabarrena stretched to tip Hjulmand's header over the bar, just six minutes from the conclusion of regulation time.

Sporting CP once again relied on the instinct of Luis Suárez to decide things, and he did so with almost the final kick of the game. Catamo's perfect cross dropped into the area, where the Colombian headed home to make it 1-2.

Before the final whistle, Matheus Reis – who had been substituted for Debast – received a straight red card on the bench following the goal celebrations.

Sporting CP now turn their attention back to the UEFA Champions League, traveling to the Basque Country in Spain this Wednesday to face Athletic Club in the final game of the league phase -which will define their final position and next step in the competition.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis (Zeno Debast, 80’), Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões (Hidemasa Morita, 67’), Geny Catamo, Luís Guilherme (Alisson Santos, 80’), Francisco Trincão (Pedro Gonçalves, 67’), Luis Suárez

The defender stays at Sporting CP with a new deal

Sporting Clube de Portugal have renewed Ousmane Diomande's contract through until 2030, maintaining the defender's buyout clause at 80 million euros.

"I'm very happy. Sporting CP are a truly great club, not only in Portugal but worldwide. There are good people at the club, I feel at home here, and that's why I felt it was the right decision," the player expressed after putting pen to paper on the extension.

Diomande was accompanied by his family in the dressing room at the Estádio José Alvalade to watch a video with numerous testimonials, praise and messages of confidence from Sporting CP fans.

"It was great to hear everything they said about me. It gives me motivation and more strength for the upcoming games. They were very nice. I'm very happy to be here," highlighted the 22-year-old.

Arriving at Sporting CP in the winter transfer window of 2023, after time at CD Mafra and also at FC Midtjylland in Denmark, Diomande has established himself as one of the pillars of the defence. Throughout the 113 matches he has played, Diomande has contributed to two Liga Portugal titles (2023/2024 and 2024/2025) – being selected on both occasions in the best XI of the competition – and one Taça de Portugal (2024/2025).

"I think last season, when we won the back-to-back titles, was a very special moment for all Sporting CP fans. Time flies, but that's how our life as a football player is. When you play so many games you don't even realise how time passes. I'm very happy to be here, I enjoy every game and every training session with my teammates and I hope to continue like this."

"I feel I've grown a lot, but also that I still have a lot to improve. I will continue learning to become an even better player. I am only thinking about playing and proving my worth," he added.

"From the coach to the players and staff, everyone helps. It's easy, as a player, to achieve good performances when you have people like that around you. Everything becomes easier. Just like the Sporting CP fans, we want to be champions again. We will fight hard and give everything until the end of the season," assured Diomande.

The coach looks at Saturday's league game

Sporting Clube de Portugal visit FC Arouca this Saturday at 6pm, on Liga Portugal Matchday  19. At the end of a week of strong emotions for the team, coach Rui Borges stressed the importance of 'changing the mindset' for the match, which may be played in snowy conditions.

Keeping their feet firmly on the ground
"It's a different context, a different demand, the opposition are different and require other things from us. It's about changing that mindset to fit the difficulties of the game in Arouca. In the UEFA Champions League we only took three points, although it's true that it was against a great side. But Liga Portugal is our Champions League and this will be a game with great demand.

With the bad weather, we will have to understand what the game will require, the state of the pitch, whether it will be stormy or not. We have to have a great capacity for adaptation, but champions are like that: they have to win regardless of the circumstances."

Jeremiah St. Juste's departure
"I wish him the best of luck in the future. He was an important player here."

The game against FC Arouca
"I expect a difficult game. We'll have to see, closer to the game, what the weather conditions will be like. They have a very strong idea about their play, they don't change, their coach is faithful to that and, in my opinion, he does a very good job. Vasco Seabra always has his teams well-organised. Despite being a team that concede many goals, they haven't conceded in three games and that dictates their growth. They are in a better phase than before. We have to be focused, and it will be a very difficult game."

Souleymane Faye being an option
"We'll see if it makes sense to include him in the starting lineup now. We don't know if it's possible or not."

Possible returns of Pedro Gonçalves and Ousmane Diomande
"They have already trained with the team. We will have to make a decision."

The strain of UEFA Champions League participation
"Of course, playing every three days in the league puts a strain on us. We've had some setbacks in terms of injuries, but the players are returning and making the group stronger, more compact, and capable of responding. We want to have everyone available and, with that availability, remain competitive in whatever competition we're in.

We want to win. If we win in Bilbao and finish in the top eight, that takes two games off our schedule, and that helps us, the coaches, to get the team training 'normally'. With a more capable and available group, we will respond in any game."

Luis Suárez’s season
"June was when I slept best, I was on vacation and I had won the league (laughs). It's part of football. A great coach left, another one came in. It's part of our job to find solutions and value them. We've been succeeding.

It's a great job by everyone, from the structure and the scouting, to find these players that we identify with Sporting CP so that we can continue to respond with trophies and quality play."

Preparing for adverse weather conditions
"We still haven't managed to train in the snow (laughs). Today, during training, it rained torrentially, with cold rain, and the guys immediately froze, asking to end the session. This difficulty will exist for everyone, but ambition and the desire to win must be above everything else. That's the responsibility we have: to win.

The players, better than anyone, know this: With snow or without snow, with rain or without rain. And they have this team spirit and adapt well to the demands and the strategy. I believe they are prepared for this demand, with snow, an orange ball, a yellow ball, whatever."

The start of the second half of the season
"Of course I believe in the three-peat, otherwise we would already be sending congratulations to the first-placed team. I'll say what I've already said: we're having a great season in terms of points, goals scored, and goals conceded. Whoever is first had an extraordinary first half of the season, and that increases the pressure as well. We have to do better, find a way for everyone to surpass ourselves, and that's our daily objective: to be extraordinary. That's what we really want, to be champions.

Last year we dropped nine points, and the same thing could happen this year. The entire second half of the season is still to come, and we have to focus on what we control: our games. Everyone has been very good, but we can be better. We have to create this demand in ourselves every day, and that's what I try to do with my coaching staff and my players.”

Return of Morten Hjulmand
"I'll complain more about having everyone than about not having them (laughs). Morten is our leader, our captain, an example for everyone. He manages to give the team the right energy and dynamics and is extremely important. He's in extraordinary form; in my opinion he's better than ever, and because of the significance he has for the group, in addition to his quality, I'm happy to have him available.

João Simões and Morita both played great in his absence. It's good, it's a sign that everyone is connected and looking for their opportunities. Everyone has had opportunities and has responded well. They know that at any moment they can be starters or substitutes, but the coaching staff are confident that everyone is an important player."

The transfer market
"I hope no one leaves. I'll be happy with that. Otherwise, it's about focusing on what we have. I'm not thinking about the transfer market.  Two players have arrived for the same position, two different wingers who offer different solutions than what we already had in the group, from a current perspective and, mainly, from a future perspective.

They will be very valuable players for us. I'm happy to have them both. They are still trying to understand the team, the demands of the club they came to, but they are happy and motivated to help.”

Medical report
"I believe Nuno Santos could start training with the group fully next week. I'll be very happy if that happens. With Fotis Ioannidis it’s very much about the day-to-day work, understanding how we can take a step forward. I don't have a defined return date for him, but, as a coach, I hope he will be available for the CD Nacional game scheduled for January 31st."

Fear of losing Luis Suárez
"I believe that he will be at the club for many years. In terms of him finishing the season here, 100% yes. It doesn't keep me up at night, but in football, obviously, something unexpected can happen. If something extraordinary happens and we can't keep Luis or any other player, that's how it is, we'll find another solution. If one player isn't here, another will be.

This is Sporting CP. We will always have great players, great coaches, and the club will continue to win, no matter who's here. Sporting CP is a collective, and with me, at least, it will always be that way. Luis is a fantastic player, he's having a great season, but nobody is irreplaceable. They all feel they are important to the coach, regardless of whether they play 10 or 90 minutes, and that's why I say I'll have more headaches with all the players than with players leaving."

The striker joins through to 2030

Sporting Clube de Portugal have reached an agreement with Spanish side Granada CF to sign Souleymane Faye.

The 22-year-old Senegalese winger joins on a contract through to 2030, with a buyout clause set at €80 million.

Faye, who will wear the number 15 shirt, first played for Galaxy Football Academy in Dakar before being recruited by Granada CF in 2022. He then played for CF Talavera de la Reina and Real Betis Balompié, before returning to Granada CF at the start of the present season.

In the 2025/26 campaign, the Senegalese international has made 21 appearances (19 in the Spanish Segunda Division and two in the Copa del Rey) and scored two goals.

At his presentation as a Sporting CP player, which took place at a fado house in Lisbon, Faye spoke  to the club's media to express his satisfaction.

"I accepted the offer because Sporting CP are a great club. Anyone who comes to Sporting CP has many goals that they can achieve. I will be able to grow and win many trophies here," he said.

The striker defined himself as "a fast player who really likes one-on-one situations, and likes to help the team with goals and assists."

"I'm excited about being able to level up in my career, and playing in Liga Portugal is an opportunity to do that. I want to show my worth," he added.

"I'm looking forward to wearing this shirt and also to playing in the UEFA Champions League. It's a childhood dream for every player. I want to help the team achieve our objectives and, on a personal level, grow a lot and win trophies."

Finally, Faye addressed the Sporting fans: "Thank you very much for your support. I received many messages asking me to come here. I've arrived now and I want to enjoy it here."

The coach reflects on an incredible 2-1 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain

Following the victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal against Paris Saint-Germain, coach Rui Borges spoke in a press conference to review the game.

His analysis of the performance
"It's the feeling of a job well done. It was a great victory. These were three difficult points to get against a great team. We had many difficulties throughout the 90 minutes, but we were able to have what I asked for: Cohesion and passion. We knew we would suffer against the reigning European champions, the best team in Europe. They have a lot of individual and collective quality. We had to suffer in a first half in which we had difficulties getting our play together. We came out with a more audacious approach in the second half. I didn't talk to the players much at halftime. The substitutions helped and we forced Paris Saint-Germain to run back. We had some luck with the goals, but that’s part of the audacity we had.

I thank our fans for the energy they gave us. They were very important to us; they were the twelfth man. It was difficult, but we had to believe and it was beautiful to see the whole crowd at the end of the game. I’d love it to always happen, not just in the UEFA Champions League. The players deserve the applause they received, and not just today. I want to make an appeal to the fans: In these last months of the season, their support will be very important. May this spirit of victory, unity and belief be maintained."

Luis Suárez
"We knew what he would give us. It doesn't surprise us. We knew his characteristics, personality, and character. Today we needed him, and I said so before the game. It was going to be a game similar to the one in Munich against Bayern, where he did very well. Today he did an extraordinary job, as he has done in every game. The two goals are a credit to the team -not just to him."

Statements by Luis Enrique
"I understand what he’s saying. They had a great game. Besides the disallowed goals, they had some opportunities and were on top of us, but there's the other side to things. Football features various strategies. In our league, we also play against teams with a low defensive line. The team were fantastic, as we had been in Munich. We were very focused and, in the second half, we were more daring within our capabilities, I couldn't ask for more from our team."

The impact of the victory
"Today we are talked up as the best, tomorrow we could be talked about as the worst. We deserve the joy that comes with these three points, and the players made history for Sporting CP, but we have to prepare for the game against FC Arouca."

The transfer market
"Souleymane Faye, who hasn't been presented yet, has already signed and, like Luís Guilherme, is a player for the future. They are two young players in whom we recognise value. We strongly believe in what they can bring to Sporting CP."

The UEFA Champions League
"Our ambition to reach the Round of 16 stems from having two fewer games on the fixture list. If we don't get there, nothing erases what the team did today and in all the other games.

I have my feet on the ground and I'm looking at it game by game. I’m happy to have beaten the European champions. We haven't been able to train much because we have many games, but the team have responded well. We're only thinking about the next one. If we win, we'll be part of Sporting CP's history and that's what we have to focus on.

We have achieved our first objective of getting through the league phase. Now, we want to go straight into the Round of 16. That's all -nothing else changes."

Different strategy
"Sporting CP and the players are aware of the reality. We recognise the value of the opposition. We can't compare Paris Saint-Germain with the teams in our league. We knew we would struggle. Sporting CP can't always be on top of the opponents, pressing, and enjoying many scoring chances. Today we had only a few and we had to make the most of them, which is what happened."

Big games
"I don’t think people will say anymore that I don't beat big teams. I don't care about that, it's just noise. I focus on our work, as that's the best response."

Game preparation
"Since we have so many games, it's about resting, watching videos and taking advantage of the little time we have to train to explain some behaviours. We focus on the simple things. There are things we don't change and then we add something individual and strategic. The preparation hasn't changed at all compared to other games. It's about making them realise that these are games where we won't have as much possession and they have to believe that it's part of the game. If we are focused, we will be able to demonstrate that we are a good side. That was a little lacking in the first half."

Whether it was the best victory of his career
"No, that was against Vitória SC last season, when we won the title."

Confidence
"A victory gives us more confidence for the rest of the season and to face the upcoming games, which are difficult. The most difficult will be in Arouca. As Pote said, Liga Portugal is our Champions League."

Strategy
"Paris Saint-Germain must be the strongest team in terms of reacting to losing possession and in defensive transitions. They are very intense. Hence the importance of Luis Suárez, with whom we managed to link up many times in the first half. He did a spectacular job. What we lacked, however, was taking the next step. We had that difficulty because they are very intense. If we had had more of that ability, I believe we would have created more problems for Paris Saint-Germain."

Two strikes from Luis Suárez provide a brilliant victory

Sporting Clube de Portugal enjoyed a momentous night in Europe against Paris Saint-Germain, beating the reigning Champions League holders 2-1 at home to earn qualification for the next phase of the competition. In what was one of their all-time best performances in the continental tournament, the team first went ahead through Luis Suárez, then saw the striker score his second in the 90th minute to snatch the victory.

The duel -in front of a sellout crowd at the Estádio José Alvalade- featured two changes to coach Rui Borges' starting lineup: Georgios Vagiannidis and Luís Guilherme were replaced by Ricardo Mangas and Maxi Araújo.

The game was also notable for being the return of former Sporting CP player Nuno Mendes in a PSG shirt, and he received a standing ovation before kickoff.

Paris Saint-Germain showed their intentions from the start, dominating possession and also exerting a level of pressure that prevented Sporting CP from creating chances. For the French side, Désiré Doué missed the target, Fabián Ruiz's effort was saved safely by Rui Silva, and Senny Mayulu's attempt, from a looping shot, also lacked precision.

Rui Silva was called into action again in the ninth minute, off another attack by Vitinha, and in the 13th minute, keeping out a powerful shot from Nuno Mendes.

Sporting CP continued to try to take advantage of opportunities despite the onslaught, and before the end of the first quarter of an hour, João Simões broke free on the counter and shot into the side netting.

For the visitors, Vitinha and Marquinhos both struck wide, and whilst PSG were still controlling play, they were not doing so with as much intensity as before.

Luis Enrique's team did have the ball in the net on the half-hour, with a header from Warren Zaïre-Emery. However, a foul on Geny Catamo in the buildup meant the goal was disallowed.

Besides Luis Suárez's shot inside the area that was blocked by the defence, another goal correctly disallowed for Paris Saint-Germain (this time for Nuno Mendes), and a spark from Geny Catamo well saved by Willian Pacho, momentum dipped close to the halftime break.

The last move before the interval was a free kick from the right taken by Maxi Araújo, from which the ball fell to Hidemasa Morita. He shot wide, and the score remained 0-0.

Sporting CP came back out playing more convincingly, although it was Paris Saint-Germain who threatened first, in the 51st minute, from Vitinha.

Then, Francisco Trincão, in a transition down the right, picked out Luis Suárez, but the Colombian striker missed connecting with the ball by centimetres when he was in a good position. Soon after, Trincão received a pass from Geny Catamo, but put his effort wide.

In response, another goal was disallowed for the French side – this time for offside by Ousmane Dembélé – and a direct free kick from Nuno Mendes went wide. Past the hour, a great save by Rui Silva from an Ousmane Dembélé piledriver kept things goalless.

Rui Borges made his first substitution in the final half-hour, replacing Ricardo Mangas with Georgios Vagiannidis, and Sporting CP came close to opening the scoring again shortly after, but Geny Catamo's attempt -set up by Francisco Trincão– went into the hands of goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.

Désiré Doué shot over the crossbar at 68', but by then it was Sporting CP who were playing better. Five minutes later, Geny Catamo sent a pass to Luis Suárez, but a defender cleared for a corner.

From that corner, the opening goal was scored: The set piece was taken by Araújo, the defence cleared and a shot by Catamo deflected off Vagiannidis, with the ball falling to Luis Suárez. The centre forward reacted quickest to slot the ball home and make it 1-0.

The ecstasy was short-lived, however, as Paris Saint-Germain managed to equalise in the 79th minute thanks to a shot from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The game became less intense in the final minutes, and opportunities also became increasingly rare. To try and give a final push in the fight for victory, Rui Borges made two changes in the 87th minute, bringing on Daniel Bragança and Alisson Santos.

The best was saved for the 90th minute, and a tremendous moment for Sporting CP. Alisson Santos found Trincão, whose firm drive forced a save from Lucas Chevalier. In the right place at the right time, Suárez knocked the rebound into the back of the net, to a huge roar from the crowd.

The 2-1 result was a triumph of belief and persistence, and earned a massively important three points for Sporting CP.

The team play again this Saturday in Liga Portugal, visiting FC Arouca. Next week, on January 28th, they travel to Bilbao to face Athletic Club on the final matchday of the UEFA Champions League's league stage.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Gonçalo Inácio [C], Matheus Reis, Ricardo Mangas (Georgios Vagiannidis, 63'), Hidemasa Morita, João Simões (Daniel Bragança, 87'), Geny Catamo (Alisson Santos, 87'), Francisco Trincão (Giorgi Kochorashvili, 90+5'), Maxi Araújo and Luis Suárez.