Sporting CP take a 4-0 victory at home in the Champions League

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Beşiktaş JK 4-0 on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League, taking a second victory over the Turkish side. With the win, Os Leões climb to second place in Group C with six points, level with Borussia Dortmund, and guarantee at least a spot in the Europa League Round of 32.

Despite the 1-4 result achieved away in Turkey, the team knew that they could not relax in a match that, like that encounter, featured high intensity.

The visiting side were without notable names such as Pjanić, Batshuayi, Vida and Rosier, whilst Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim fielded the same lineup as in the first game.

The first serious warning came from the feet of Paulinho, who was set up by Pablo Sarabia but struck against the crossbar. Seconds later, another move involving the same players saw the opposition goalkeeper saving with his feet.

In the 17th minute, Pedro Porro was forced off through injury, making way for Ricardo Esgaio. Beşiktaş JK's most dangerous passage of play followed, with two shots on goal and another that missed the target.

However, Sporting CP would take the lead on the half-hour through Pedro Gonçalves. After receiving a foul inside the area, the midfielder took the resulting penalty himself, scoring from the spot to make it 1-0.

A permeable defence was breached again shortly after, as Gonçalves scored again with a confident finish just minutes after his opener. Paulinho then struck with his left foot from outside the area, rocketing the ball in to take the score to 3-0.

In front by a comfortable margin at the break, Sporting CP came into the second half imposing a more patient circulation of the ball, maintaining control. Only seconds had passed since the restart when Sarabia tried to cross from the left, but his ball took a swerve and ended up hitting the crossbar. Shortly thereafter, a Matheus Nunes effort was kept out by Destanoğlu.

Sporting CP increased their advantage to 4-0 on 56 minutes, from an excellent run down the left side. Matheus Reis crossed into the area, where Sarabia shook off his marker and turned the ball into the net.

In response to the significant lead, Rúben Amorim refreshed the team with the introduction of Daniel Bragança and Nuno Santos, replacing Matheus Nunes and Paulinho.

With the game seemingly in the bag, the intensity dropped in the final half hour and Beşiktaş JK moved higher up the pitch. But, despite providing scares for Adán on occasion, they failed to convince. In second gear, Sporting CP enjoyed two chances for Bragança, and one for Nuno Santos.

The only notable incident in the final minutes was Souza's late sending off, as Sporting CP claimed their second win on the bounce. They remain in the fight for entry into the Round of 16, with two games of the Group Stage remaining.

The fifth match, at home to Borussia Dortmund, is scheduled for November 24th, while the sixth will be away to AFC Ajax on December 7th. Before that, Sporting CP will visit FC Paços de Ferreira this Sunday in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro (Ricardo Esgaio, 17’), João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 60’), Matheus Reis (Rúben Vinagre, 71’), Pedro Gonçalves (Jovane Cabral, 71’), Pablo Sarabia and Paulinho (Nuno Santos, 60’).