Sporting CP win 0-3 against Eintracht Frankfurt

Sporting Clube de Portugal won in Germany for the first time ever in Champions League action, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 0-3 on Matchday 1. Marcus Edwards, Francisco Trincao and Nuno Santos were the scorers, all finding the net in the second half.

Up against a team making their debut in the UEFA Champions League under the current format, Sporting CP had to contend with the enthusiasm amongst the home fans created a great atmosphere at a packed Deutsche Bank Park -including many travelling supporters.

Rúben Amorim made only one change to the starting lineup from the win against GD Estoril Praia, as Gonçalo Inácio replaced Nuno Santos. Paulinho returned to the squad, amongst the substitutes along with new signing Arthur Gomes.

Sporting CP suffered an early scare after just two minutes, when a mistake by Manuel Ugarte allowed Kolo Muani to go through on Antonio Adán, who responded with a great intervention.

Eintracht Frankfurt pushed forward and had another good chance in the seventh minute, when Kolo Muani shot wide.

Sporting CP were awarded a penalty after Marcus Edwards was brought down inside the box, but referee Roy Hassan reversed his decision after consulting VAR.

Two more mistakes, this time by Adán and Inácio, gave two more chances to Eintracht Frankfurt, but neither Kamada nor Lindstrøm could finish successfully.

As Rúben Amorim had warned ahead of the game, it was necessary to calm the atmosphere, and greater organisation and control of the ball settled things down. A great chance came his team's way in the 35th minute, when Edwards combined with Pedro Porro, got into the area and shot on goal, forcing an excellent save by Kevin Trapp.

After a goalless first half, in the opening minutes of the second period Jeremiah St. Juste was replaced by Luís Neto, who was put to work in the 53rd minute, blocking a shot by Kamada.

Hidemasa Morita's recovery of possession in midfield, kick-started a chance for Sporting CP, as he played to Edwards, who set up Porro to shoot into the side netting. In the 63rd minute, another opportunity presented itself to Sporting CP, when Francisco Trincao shot over from a free kick.

The goal finally arrived moments later, on 65 minutes: An excellent move saw Pedro Gonçalves find Morita. He in turn provided the assist to Edwards, the Englishman finding the net even when being fouled by Ebimbe.

With the deadlock finally broken, Sporting CP went forward again. Morita and Gonçalves were again involved in the buildup off a counterattack, with Edwards then timing his pass to assist Francisco Trincão. It was his first goal since joining the club in the summer.

After two rapidfire goals Amorim brought on Rochinha to replace Edwards, then Nuno Santos and Paulinho to replace Gonçalves and Trincão.

Inside the final ten minutes, Sporting CP rounded off the scoring, as a fantastic run by Porro past several opposition players gave him space to cross to Nuno Santos. He finished off with class to make it 0-3.

Os Leões will now host Portimonense SC in Liga Portugal this weekend.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Jeremiah St. Juste (Luís Neto, 52'), Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte, Hidemasa Morita, Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão (Paulinho, 79'), Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos, 79') e Marcus Edwards (Rochinha, 73').