Sporting CP left to wait until matchday six to secure passage into the UEFA Youth League knock-out stages

Sporting CP made an aggressive start to UEFA Youth League matchday 5, showing a real determination to take the game to Real Madrid with some good movement in possession and high pressing without it. However, a strike from Sergio Diaz against the run of play really shook Tiago Fernandes's side and the team from the Spanish capital showed their maturity with some well controlled football.

The occasional turn of pace from Gutiérrez Hernández's outfit is what troubled Sporting's under-19's the most and on 38 minutes Hernando doubled Madrid's lead with a header. Pedro Marques had a half chance to pull Sporting CP back within a goal, but his shot straight at the keeper summed up what had been a frustrating first-half.

The break did prove useful for the Alvalade youngsters, who came out looking more aggressive and with a touch more pace going forward. Rafael Leão was somehow denied by Luca Zidane after an excellent dart down the left wing from Pedro Ferreira, before Rafael hammered a header against the bar. A goal really was deserved for Fernandes's charges and it finally came in the 69th minute, courtesy of Daniel Bragança after a pass from Pedro Ferreira that Pedro Marques could have first converted on.

Sporting CP's rally was dealt an extremely harsh blow by a couple of debatable decisions from the referee, which saw Real Madrid break forward and net a third through Franchu (73’).

Despite the loss, Tiago Fernandes's side still hold their fate in their own hands, with a win in Poland against Legia Warsaw on matchday 6 enough to secure qualification for the next round.

Standings:

Real Madrid – 13 points (qualified)

Sporting CP -6 points

Dortmund – 5 points

Legia Warsaw – 2 points (eliminated)