Dost double leaves Wolfsburg perfectly poised

• Bas Dost double gives Wolfsburg firm grip on tie at halfway stage
• Dutchman makes it ten goals in last six games in all competitions
• Sporting have now lost in ten of their 11 visits to Germany
• Dieter Hecking's side on course to reach last 16 for first time since 2009/10
• The second leg is next Thursday in Portugal, with the last 16 draw the following day

Bas Dost continued his red-hot scoring form to leave VfL Wolfsburg perfectly poised at the halfway stage of their round of 32 tie with Sporting Clube de Portugal.

With a woeful record in Germany, it was no surprise to see the Portuguese visitors come under pressure for much of the first period. Wolfsburg's January acquisition André Schürrle burst onto Kevin De Bruyne's defence-splitting ball, but the FIFA World Cup winner was denied a first in green at the front post by a smart Rui Patrício save. Adrien Silva then did brilliantly to intercept Sebastian Jung's cross with Dost lurking, before Vieirinha lashed narrowly wide against the team from his homeland.

Sporting almost nicked a surprise lead when André Carrillo's effort slipped past the post after a lightning break, but the hosts were ahead seconds after the restart. Naldo stole the ball in the centre and slipped in Dost to score his ninth goal in his last six outings with minimum fuss. Rui Patrício's foot then just denied De Bruyne's fierce drive, yet the winger had his way moments later, supplying a delightful, teasing cross from the right for Dost to tap in at the back post.

Rui Patrício's lightning reactions denied the 25-year-old a hat-trick and the striker turned a cross wide of the front post as the chances continued to arrive in rapid succession. Dieter Hecking will doubtless be disappointed that his side do not take a greater lead to Lisbon after so many openings, but he was nonetheless grateful to see João Mário's late header drift wide at the other end.