Sparkling Sporting derail Lokomotiv
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Article summary
Lokomotiv Moskva 2-4 Sporting CP
The Lions avenged a 3-1 loss on matchday one in some style, with the Railwaymen surrendering their place at the top of Group H.
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- Sporting still afloat after avenging 3-1 loss with 4-2 win in Russia
- Maicon strikes early for Lokomotiv – his second in two Group H home games
- Lisbon side sparkle to seize 3-1 lead by interval
- Matheus Pereira makes it 4-1 on counter; Aleksei Miranchuk gets late consolation goal
- Final Group H games: Sporting CP v Beşiktaş, Skënderbeu v Lokomotiv Moskva (10 December)
Sporting CP got their UEFA Europa League Group H campaign back on track with a stunning performance, coming from a goal down to beat Lokomotiv Moskva 4-2 in the Russian capital.
Lokomotiv led after just five minutes, Maicon showing great composure to slot the ball past the on-rushing Marcelo after being sent through on goal. However, the pendulum soon swung in Sporting's direction, Jorge Jesus's side's high pressing game causing the hosts all sorts of problems.
Fredy Montero scored a deserved equaliser on 20 minutes, sweeping home Ricardo Esgaio's right-wing cross at the near post, while the Colombian was involved again as Sporting went in front – playing a lovely one-two with Bryan Ruiz before the Costa Rican dinked the ball over Guilherme.
Gelson Martins proved a handful for the Railwaymen all evening and made it 3-1 two minutes before half-time, the 20-year-old from Cape Verde producing a cool finish after being put through by the excellent Montero.
Lokomotiv began the second half strongly, with Maicon hitting the bar, but as they pushed forward, Sporting prospered on the counterattack. Just past the hour mark, Matheus Pereira slipped the offside trap before finishing beyond Guilherme.
Ruiz had the chance to make coach Igor Cherevchenko's evening even worse and notch a fifth, but his powerful left-footer cannoned off the post. Aleksei Miranchuk's well-taken volley from close range with four minutes to go was little consolation, though.
