Pep Guardiola's side became the first side in the competition’s history to lead by four goals at the halfway point of a Champions League knockout game.
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Bernardo Silva netted twice as Manchester City defeated Sporting Lisbon 5-0 in the Champions League last-16, first leg fixture at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola’s side, runners-up last season, blew Sporting away with a blistering first half performance as they became the first side in the competition’s history to lead by four goals at the halfway point of a Champions League knockout game. Apart from Silva’s double, Riyad Mahez, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling got on the score-sheet to take an unassailable lead going into the second leg at home on March 10.
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?️ REPORT: Goals from Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva (2), Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling helped Manchester City to a convincing first-leg win…#UCL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 15, 2022
The rout began with Mahrez slotting home from Kevin de Bruyne’s assist inside the opening seven minutes. Initially, Foden’s attempt from Joao Cancelo’s cut back was saved by Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Antonio Adan, but the rebound fell to De Bruyne at near post who passed it back for Mahrez to tuck in from in front of goal. Though the linesman had initially raised the flag for offside, the goal was given after VAR intervention.
John Stones’ header from Sterling’s cross went wide before Silva scored a superb goal to double the lead in the 17th minute. Rodrigo’s header from Mahrez’s corner fell to Silva inside the box, and the Portuguese international unleashed a stunning half-volley which crashed into the net off the underside of the bar.
Foden made it 3-0 on 31 minutes. Mahrez dribbled past two defenders before delivering a low cross for Foden to fire home at the ear post. And then, Silva completed his brace just before the break. Cancelo played a precise overhead ball to find the run of Sterling on the left side of the box, the Englishman pulled it back for Silva to slot home. The 27-year-old’s effort deflected off Gonaclo Inacio and went past Adan at the near post.
Three minutes after the break, Silva headed the ball inside the net from De Bruyne’s cross but the goal was disallowed for offside after VAR intervention. However, the visitor’s completed a five-star performance with a stunning strike from Sterling on 57 minutes.
The 27-year-old cut inside from the left and curled a brilliant effort into the top corner from outside the box. Only then did Guardiola take the opportunity to rest some of his players, with Foden, Stones and Rodri making way for Ilkay Gundogan, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fernandinho.
With six minutes remaining Neto almost scored an own goal from De Bruyne’s free-kick but Adnan made a good save to tip it over the bar. It was a dominant performance from Guardiola’s side and Sporting failed to register even a single shot on target. City’s quest for Champions League glory continues.
