Sporting miss out on European progress with loss in the Polish capital

A tough loss to swallow, particularly with the continuation of this season's European campaign dependent on getting a least a draw in the Polish capital. The powerful Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid inevitably led the pack at the final tally in Group F, while Legia Warsaw snatched 3rd place and the respective Europa League berth.

William Carvalho set the tone of the evening with a shout across the face of goal in the 5th minute, with what was the first of a wealth of shots finishing on the wrong side of the post. Legia's response was largely through quick counter attacks and some calculated play saw the Polish hosts take in a 1-0 lead at the break.

Sporting CP attempted to rally after the break, but a lack of an eye for goal and some fine defending from Arkadiusz Malarz kept Legia ahead. André came close with 15 minutes of the clock with a snap volley that would have looped in under the bar, had it not been for the home keeper tipping over. Sporting CP's best efforts were finally dashed in the 85th minute, when William Carvalho was given his marching orders.