Sporting CP’s final home game under Ruben Amorim was a remarkable display of attacking brilliance, as Viktor Gyokeres netted a hat-trick in a 4-1 Champions League demolition of Manchester City.
The result capped off Amorim’s tenure in Lisbon in spectacular fashion, with a memorable performance against one of Europe’s best teams.
City had the upper hand early on, with Phil Foden firing them ahead after capitalizing on a mistake from Sporting’s Hidemasa Morita.
Foden’s powerful strike past Franco Israel looked to set City on course for another victory, but Sporting responded in stunning fashion just before the break.
Gyokeres, who has been in scintillating form all season, leveled the score with a cool lob over Ederson after sprinting clear of the City defense.
The Swedish striker’s 21st goal of the season couldn’t have come at a better time, breathing life into the Sporting side and leaving City rattled.
The second half saw Sporting seize control. Maximiliano Araujo put them ahead in the opening seconds of the restart, finishing off a slick move straight from kick-off.
Gyokeres then took center stage again, scoring from the penalty spot after Josko Gvardiol fouled Francisco Trincao in the box, putting Sporting 3-1 up.
City had their chance to get back into the game when Erling Haaland was awarded a penalty after Ousmane Diomande’s handball, but the Norwegian’s strike came back off the crossbar, a huge miss in the context of the match.
Gyokeres, ever the opportunist, completed his hat-trick with another penalty, this time after Matheus Nunes, a former Sporting player, fouled Trincao inside the area.
With the win, Amorim ensured that Sporting CP would finish the group phase in a commanding position, sitting on 10 points from four games, a fantastic achievement for his side.
Meanwhile, City, despite their dominance in recent years, were left to reflect on their third consecutive loss, and their first defeat in the Champions League this season, leaving them with seven points in the group.
Amorim will now look ahead to his new challenge at Manchester United, with his move to Old Trafford set to officially begin on November 11. His legacy at Sporting will surely be remembered fondly, particularly for this sensational victory over City.
