Borussia Dortmund won an away leg of a UEFA Champions League knockout tie for just the third time in their last 13 attempts as they defeated Sporting CP 3-0 at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Despite ending the league phase with a four-game winless run, Sporting still had reason to be upbeat given the simple fact that progression to the knockouts of the Champions League is a rare occurrence for Os Leoes.
Although Dortmund impressed in the league phase, their Bundesliga form has suggested Die Schwarzgelben are far from their best this season, and the home side had the better of the first half.
Maximiliano Araujo came closest to opening the scoring when his effort from distance came back off the crossbar with 15 minutes on the clock.
Sporting were yet to lose at home under their new boss Rui Borges (W4, D1), and they created another good opportunity eight minutes before half-time when Harder’s cross from the byline found Joao Simoes, whose strike from just inside the area was straight at Kobel.
With that in mind, the German side knew they had to find another gear in the second half, and they made a bright start with Karim Adeyemi seeing his effort from 25 yards pushed away by Rui Silva.
The game seemingly needed a goal to bring it to life, and if anyone was going to deliver it, Serhou Guirassy was the likeliest candidate.
The Guinean forward has been in sparkling form in this competition, and when Julian Brandt sent a cross into the area from the right touchline, he was on hand to rise highest and send his looping header over Silva and into the right corner for his 10th goal of this Champions League campaign, drawing level with Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.
Having opened the scoring, Guirassy turned provider eight minutes later when his pinpoint cross into the area picked out Pascal Gross, who directed the ball into the net via his thigh to put the visitors into a commanding position.
They then added to that lead inside the final 10 minutes when Adeyemi finished off a fast counter-attack, rounding off a perfect evening.
The result leaves Sporting facing an uphill task if they are to qualify for the last 16 for just the second time since 2008/09, while Dortmund’s quest to reach a second final in as many seasons remains on course, as their fine form in this season’s competition continues.
