Sporting CP vs
Galatasaray
Europe, UEFA Champions League,
Round 1
Sporting CP
3
-
1
Galatasaray
Live Action
Commentary
90'
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comment
FULL-TIME: SPORTING 3-1 GALATASARAY
90'
C
Yellow Card
Yellow Card Ismail Jakobs
90'
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comment
Sporting have been a joy to watch tonight, and the three in midfield have played a huge part. Doumbia, Altimira, and Zalazar have all been at the top of their game, outclassing their opponents.
90'
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comment
There will be a minimum of four minutes of added time. Gala look to be out of ideas.
88'
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comment
Gala just beginning to put more pressure on the Sporting defence, but the hosts have dealt with everything thrown at them in the last 10 minutes.
85'
S
Substitution
Gala’s final roll of the dice is Ugochukwu on for Torreira.
85'
S
Substitution
In an attempt to make a change in the game, the experienced Gundogan is on for Akgun.
84'
S
Substitution
Nhaga is on for Sara for the remainder of the match.
84'
S
Substitution
Fresneda is on at right-back for Sporting, with Vagiannidis making way.
84'
S
Substitution
More changes for both sides. Quaresma, who looked to be struggling before the start of the half, is now off for Debast.
84'
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comment
Sara decided to go alone from the free-kick, trying to curl an effort into the far top corner. It is comfortable for Silva, who makes no mistake in making a save.
83'
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comment
Here is a chance for Gala to get players into the box, with Araujo bringing down Alper Yilmaz on the edge of the penalty area.
80'
C
Yellow Card
Gul is booked not too long after entering the pitch, with the attacker punished for a late challenge.
79'
•
comment
Sporting are now cruising in the match. They are calming things down, moving the ball side to side with little pressure from Gala.
76'
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comment
Can Galatasaray get back into the game? They will most likely need a goal in the next 10 minutes to have a chance, but it is currently Sporting who look more like scoring next.
74'
S
Substitution
Doumbia also makes way, with Andersen on for a Champions League debut.
74'
S
Substitution
Now it is time for a double change for Sporting. The first sees goalscorer Suarez replaced by Ioannidis.
72'
•
highlight
IT SHOULD BE FOUR! What a goal this would have been! It is intricate play from Sporting in the final third, before Altimira continued his run into the box, controlled the ball wonderfully from a dinked pass, but failed to find the finish, with the effort straight at Cakir.
69'
•
comment
This match has really been the tale of two halves. Galatasaray were the more dangerous of the two in the first 45, but since the break it has been Sporting that have been on top and have been rewarded with two goals.
66'
S
Substitution
Zalazar is replaced as Goncalves is on in his place. Zalazar’s free-kick goal had an xG of just 0.034...
64'
S
Substitution
Batrakov is replaced after a quiet match, with Gul on for a Champions League debut.
63'
+
Goal 3-1
GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!! WHAT A RIDICULOUS FREE-KICK BY ZALAZAR!!!!! HIS FIRST IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IS A SPECIAL ONE!!!!! From the left side of the penalty area, he bends a powerful strike away from Cakir in net and into the top-left corner of the goal! 3-1 to Sporting!
63'
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comment
Gala are struggling with the pace and power of Sporting, with Sallai mistiming a challenge on the edge of the area, gifting Sporting a free-kick in a dangerous position.
62'
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comment
You can really see the confidence oozing from Suarez. After scoring his first of the match, he goes close to a second, but a left-footed effort drags past the post.
60'
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comment
It is a truly wonderful penalty from Suarez, whose effort is simply unsavable. He has now scored his last three spot-kicks in the competition.
58'
S
Substitution
To a chorus of jeers from the crowd, Leao comes on for Gala against his former club. He replaces Sane.
57'
+
Penalty Goal 2-1
GOALLLLLLLL!!!! SPORTING HAVE TURNED THIS AROUND!!!!! THE HOSTS LEAD!!!!!! Nearly three minutes after going down in the box, Suarez keeps his cool and smashes into the bottom-left corner! 2-1 Sporting!
56'
•
VAR
PENALTY CONFIRMED! After an extended check, VAR confirm the decision and Suarez has the chance from the spot to turn around the match.
54'
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highlight
PENALTY SPORTING! Doumbia slips a through pass to Suarez, leaving the striker one-on-one with Cakir, he goes down under pressure from both him and Jakobs, and the referee points to the spot. It looks to be Jakobs who is the one that fouls Suarez, but VAR is checking...
52'
C
Yellow Card
Elmali picks up the first yellow for Galatasaray, after the defender takes down Catamo in a wide position.
51'
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comment
Cakir nearly gets himself into all sorts of trouble, as he just about beats Suarez to the ball and clears. The striker goes down appealing for a penalty, but it is clear to see that he was second in the battle.
50'
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comment
The first corner of the half goes to Sporting. Catamo moves down the right with some tricky feet, before his cross is blocked by Elmali. The resulting corner comes to nothing, but Sporting still control the play inside the Gala half.
47'
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comment
After being treated briefly by the medical team, Quaresma doesn't feel the need to be replaced and wants to stay on. The Sporting bench listen to the centre-back and he continues.
46'
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comment
THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY!
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comment
We have a slightly delayed start to the second half, after Quaresma has taken a turn and has been physically sick - he will surely be replaced.
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comment
With the scores level, Sporting are the favourites with the Opta Supercomputer to go on and take all three points. They have been given a 48.9% chance, whilst Gala have just a 19.3% chance of winning. You would be a brave man to bet against Gala after their first-half display...
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half_time summary
It has been an enthralling first 45 at the Estadio Jose Alvalde, with Sporting and Galatasaray level at 1-1. Gala started on the front foot and took a deserved lead in the first five minutes. Sanchez saw an effort saved by Silva, before the goalkeeper thought he had also stopped Torreira’s deflected effort on the rebound, but the referee’s watch indicated that it was over! Sporting thought they had equalised through Suarez, but Araujo was found to be offside in the buildup, with the flag raised as soon as it found the back of the net. They did get their leveller in the 27th minute, with Catamo’s volley finding the bottom corner. Sane had the best chance from the rest of the half, but his curling strike was just wide of the post. Sporting ended the 45 with an expected goals of just 0.09, whilst the visitors accumulated 0.90 xG.
45'
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comment
HALF-TIME: SPORTING 1-1 GALATASARAY
45'
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comment
There will be a minimum of two minutes of added time.
45'
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comment
The whistles are screeching around the ground, with a few calls going the way of Gala in the last few minutes.
43'
C
Yellow Card
Suarez picks up Sporting’s second booking of the evening, after he catches the back of Sanchez’s calf.
43'
•
comment
Top goalkeeping from Silva, who is quick off his line to beat Alper Yilmaz to the ball and clear his lines. He nearly sets free Suarez with his clearance, but the striker goes down too easily, and the referee waves play in.
40'
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comment
No players have had fewer touches than Guilherme (nine) and Araujo (seven), despite Sporting’s best two moments coming down the left flank.
38'
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highlight
CHANCE FOR SANE! He may not find a nicer position to strike with his left foot all game! The ball falls kindly in the area for the German, before he takes a touch to send a Sporting defender, but his curling effort towards the top-left corner is just wide of the post.
37'
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comment
Sporting may want to be looking towards their new signing Zalazar, who had a fantastic campaign in Europe last season. The Uruguayan played 15 games in the Europa League for Braga, scoring six goals in the process.
35'
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comment
Despite the equaliser, Sporting are still behind statistically. Galatasaray have had six of the seven shots, and 66% possession. They have accumulated 0.71 xG, compared to Sporting’s 0.5 xG.
32'
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comment
Oh how the emotions can change in football? In the 24th minute, there was the VAR check to possibly send Sporting down to 10 players. Then, just three minutes later Catamo finds the back of the net for the equaliser!
29'
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comment
Catamo is nearly in again, after the long pass loops over the Gala defence. Jakobs gets back well to clear, but the offside flag is raised anyway. The Gala defensive line is extremely high...
27'
+
Goal 1-1
GOOOOAAALLLLLL!!!!! THIS ONE WILL SURELY COUNT!!!!! CATAMO WITH THE EQUALISER!!!! The hosts have responded well in the last 10 minutes and have their goal. Sporting bring the ball forwards quickly, before overloading the left flank. A ball comes into the box, and after a brief spell of pinball, Catamo managed to dig out a volley into the bottom corner! 1-1!
26'
•
comment
Just some news on the Gala opener. Torreira’s first Champions League goal has been taken away from him, with Inacio the unfortunate recipient.
24'
•
VAR
After a check by VAR, Altimira’s challenge on Batrakov is cleared and the yellow remains.
22'
C
Yellow Card
The first booking of the match goes the way of Altimira, who is punished for a high boot on Batrakov. VAR are currently checking to see if this should be a red...
19'
•
highlight
NO GOAL! Suarez finds the back of the net from close range and thought he had equalised for the hosts. However, Araujo was offside in the build-up, with the flag rising as soon as Suarez scored his goal – still 0-1.
17'
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comment
It is a second corner of the evening from Gala, after Alper Yilmaz’s cross is cleared by Altimira. Inacio does well to clear the set-piece, but only as far as a throw in for the visitors deep in the Sporting half.
15'
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comment
Alper Yilmaz looks to be playing in a much more central position than what was expected before kick-off. He leads the line, with Batrakov playing the supporting role.
13'
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comment
Vagiannidis looks to be down in some pain, after a slight touch on the shin from Alper Yilmaz. After a brief spell down, he rises back to his feet and Sporting have a free-kick.
12'
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comment
Pre-match, Sporting were the favourites to win, with a 54.9% likelihood of three points. However, now Galatasaray have a 41.9% chance of victory, with Sporting’s dropping to 33.8%.
10'
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comment
In the opening 10 minutes here, Galatasaray have had 72% of the possession, as well as four shots to Sporting’s zero.
8'
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comment
What a blistering start for Galatasaray, who have had a horrid time away from home in this competition in recent years. They tried to double the lead within seconds from the restart, but Sara’s effort is straight down the throat of Silva.
5'
+
Own Goal 0-1
GOALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! GALA LEAD IN THE EARLY STAGES!!!!!! A DESERVED ADVANTAGE FOR THE VISITORS!!!!! Sanchez once again causes a major threat, as the Colombian finds an effort on target from a set-piece. Silva looks to scoop it out from the goal line, before Torreira puts it in on the rebound. Once again Silva tries to clear, but this time the ball certainly crossed the line! Gala lead 1-0!
4'
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highlight
WIDE FROM SANCHEZ! Huge opportunity early on for Galatasaray! Sanchez meets the ball with an attempted header, but the effort slowly goes off target as everyone watches on. It looked to have taken a touch off Inacio, but the resulting corner is wasted.
3'
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comment
Galatasaray have won themselves an early free-kick in a dangerous crossing position, after Inacio dragged down Alper Yilmaz and is perhaps lucky to escape a booking.
1'
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comment
KICK-OFF: WE ARE UNDERWAY AT THE ESTADIO JOSE ALVALADE.
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comment
The two sides are out and the Champions League anthem echoes around the stadium – kick-off is just moments away!
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team news
The big team news for Okan Buruk’s side is the absence of star man Victor Osimhen, who looks to be out for up to three weeks with an adductor muscle strain. In his place up front is Batrakov, who joined from FK Lokomotiv Moskva in the summer. Jakobs and Sallai start as the full-backs, with Torreira partnering Sara in midfield. Sane starts at right-wing – the German has scored three goals in each of his last two Champions League campaigns. Leao will be waiting to make an impact from the bench.
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team news
Rui Borges names a strong XI in Sporting’s Champions League opener. Quaresma partners Inacio at the back, with the latter going into his seventh European campaign with the club. The midfield three are all making their first appearances in Europe for Sporting, with Doumbia, Altimira, and Zalazar joining in the summer window. Sporting fought off competition and kept hold of Suarez, who starts up top tonight.
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comment
GALATASARAY SUBS: El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Lesley Ugochukwu, Ilkay Gundogan, Deniz Gul, Jankat Yilmaz, Rafael Leao, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Enes Buyuk, Berat Lus, Renato Nhaga.
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comment
GALATASARAY (4-2-3-1): Ugurcan Cakir; Roland Sallai, Davinson Sanchez, Eren Elmali, Ismail Jakobs; Gabriel Sara, Lucas Torreira; Leroy Sane, Yunus Akgun, Baris Alper Yilmaz; Aleksey Batrakov.
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comment
SPORTING SUBS: Silas Andersen, Zeno Debast, Fotis Ioannidis, Rafael Nel, Nestory Irankunda, Pedro Lima, Ivan Fresneda, Jesse Derry, Kaique, Rodrigo Dias, Flavio Goncalves, Eduardo Felicissimo.
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comment
SPORTING (4-2-3-1): Rui Silva; Georgios Vagiannidis, Eduardo Quaresma, Goncalo Inacio, Maxi Araujo; Sergi Altimira, Issa Doumbia; Geny Catamo, Rodrigo Zalazar, Luis Guilherme; Luis Suarez.
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comment
Galatasaray narrowly made it through the league phase last campaign, finishing in 20th place. They ended up falling in the round of 16, where they were comfortably beaten by Liverpool over two legs. There will be high expectations with the Galatasaray faithful, after their summer business. History doesn't serve the Turkish side well - Galatasaray have won just two of their last 26 away Champions League games (three draws, 21 losses), failing to score 15 times and keeping only two clean sheets in this run.
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comment
Sporting return to the biggest European stage, after last season boasting their best performance in the competition. They reached the quarter-finals, before being eliminated by eventual runners-up Arsenal. They also had an impressive league phase last season, winning five of eight games. A similar return will see them cruise into the round of 16.
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comment
Good evening everyone! Welcome to tonight’s UEFA Champions League coverage, as Sporting host Galatasaray at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Key Players
0.03
Expected Goals
1
Shots On Target
Rodrigo Zalazar
65 Min
0
Expected Goals
0
Shots On Target
Aleksey Batrakov
63 Min
Predictions
Who Will Win?
Total Votes:
24,590
48%
Sporting
16%
Draw
36%
Galatasaray
Actual Play Time - #59:51
Actual 59:51
Total 97:04