Sporting get stung as CSKA make history

Sporting Lisbon 1 CSKA Moscow 3

Playing at their own stadium and backed by a boisterous support, Sporting went ahead after 29 minutes through Rogerio but CSKA hit back.

Alexei Berezutskiy’s header brought them level and then goals from Yuri Zhirkov and Vagner Love sealed a remarkable triumph.

The defeat completed a miserable few days for Sporting, whose chances of winning the Portuguese SuperLiga evaporated at the weekend with defeat to Benfica, and their coach Jose Peseiro was roundly booed by his own supporters when he went up to claim his runners-up medal.

The breakthrough came in the 29th minute as Sporting’s pressure told.

Daniel Carvalho lost possession on the edge of his own area and Rogerio took advantage to curl a wonderful shot into the top right-hand corner.

CSKA began the second-half showing signs of attacking intent, which was so evidently lacking in an inept first-half display.

Love went close with a volley on the turn which flew inches wide of Ricardo’s right-hand post.

It was the closest CSKA had come but they went one better after 56 minutes - Berezutskiy heading Carvalho’s right-wing cross into the floor, the bounce beating Sporting keeper Ricardo.

The momentum had changed and it was to drift even further in the way of CSKA after 65 minutes.

Carvalho was again the provider with a neat through ball which was perfect for Zhirkov to run on to and he slotted the ball through the legs of the advancing Ricardo.

The defining moment came 16 minutes from time when Rogerio somehow failed to convert Tello’s cross-shot from less than a yard out.

With the majority of the home players still in the CSKA penalty area, the Russians sprung forward on the counter - Carvalho’s cross was missed by Ricardo and Love made it 3-1.

SPORTING: Ricardo, Miguel Garcia, Beto, Enakahire, Tello, Rogerio (Douala 79), Rochemback, Joao Moutinho (Viana 87), Pedro Barbosa, Liedson, Sa Pinto (Niculae 72).

CSKA MOSCOW: Akinfeev, Alexei Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Vasili Berezutsky, Odiah, Aldonin (Gusev 86), Rahimic, Daniel Carvalho (Semberas 82), Olic (Krasic 67), Vagner Love.

Referee: Graham Poll (England).