Viktor Gyokeres’ three goals earned Sporting CP a triumphant 4-1 win over Manchester City in their UEFA Champions League encounter at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon Tuesday night.
The Swede, 26, who has been touted as a potential replacement for City forward Erling Haaland, brought his side back to life after Phil Foden’s strike four minutes into the game.
Gyokeres later scored two more goals from the spot to give Manchester United-bound, Coach Rúben Amorim a sounding victory.
It was a dream send-off for the outgoing Amorim in his final match in charge at the Estadio Jose Alvalade before he links up with Manchester United.
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But he wouldn’t have predicted the drubbing he would have inflicted on the Citizens after Sporting fell behind to an early goal.
After back-to-back defeats against Tottenham and Bournemouth, City got off to a dream start with Phil Foden’s fourth minute strike.
But they then became the latest victim of in-form striker Gyokeres, who outmuscled Nathan Ake before slotting past Stefan Ortega in the 38th minute.
And just seconds into the second half, the hosts took the lead through Maximiliano Araujo.
It was then 3-1 in the 49th minute when Gyokeres slotted home into the bottom right corner from the penalty spot.
Erling Haaland then had the perfect chance to halve the deficit – and create Champions League history – with a penalty of his own in the 69th minute.
AC Milan shock Real Madrid at UCL
Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League ambitions suffered a significant setback as AC Milan secured a stunning 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu
The Italian giants rebounded from an early penalty equalizer to claim a memorable victory.
Malick Thiaw headed Milan into the lead, but Vinicius Jr. leveled from the spot after Emerson Royal’s foul. Alvaro Morata, a former Madrid player, restored Milan’s lead before halftime, capitalizing on Rafael Leao’s saved shot.
Tijjani Reijnders sealed the win with a third goal, leaving Madrid reeling. Despite a late surge, Carlo Ancelotti’s side couldn’t mount a comeback.
The defeat marks Madrid’s second Champions League loss this season, while AC Milan’s triumph boosts their group stage prospects under Paulo Fonseca.