Memorable comeback sees Sporting through to the Europa League knock-out stages

With just 25 minutes left on the clock, the odds were certainly stacked against Sporting: Lokomotiv held a lead a lead in Albania and Besiktas were 1-0 up in Alvalade. However, Jorge Jesus' side once again showed a cool head that has been so characteristic of this season, coming back to win 3-1 and secure a place in the next round of the Europa League.

It was Sporting who made the stronger start of the two sides, creating a chance almost from the off with a delicate first touch from Montero and a shot from João Mário to test Zengin. However, Besiktas soon found their footing, courtesy largely of some aggressive midfield play and high pressure defending that saw a fair share of passes miss the mark. Again Montero was the instigator up front for Sporting with a dangerous shot that was deflected wide, before the the visiting Turks saw a few chances of their own go wanting.

Clean chances on goal for Besiktas were few and far between, but the Turkish outfit did a commendable job of smothering the space down the middle. Reading the game, Jorge Jesus introduced  Gelson Martins into the action in place of Montero, bringing João Mário into a more central role in a move that saw Sporting almost instantly improve.

Sporting started the second-half with more possession, but passes continued to go wayward. Quaresma made the most of a hashed counter-attack to put a ball across the face of goal that Mario Gomez comfortably converted on to open scoring. Facing an uphill battle, Jesus brought on Teo Gutiérrez and the tables soon turned in the hosts' favour. After a warning shot on 63 minutes that ended up just over the bar, Slimani struck three minutes later after showing nerve to stretch for a pass from Ruiz to beat the onrushing Zengin. On 72 minutes, Bryan Ruiz completed the turnaround with a low drive that the Besiktas keeper could to little to keep put.

Besiktas could do little but admire the Sporting rally, as Gelson's speed and Teo's movement carved holes in the their defence as the clock ticked over. It was actually the two substitutes who finally finished off the Turks, with showing some brilliant composure to wrong-foot a defender and score Sporting's third.

The win sees Sporting finish in second place in Group H with 10 points, being Lokomotiv Moscow.