Manchester City suffered a shocking 4-1 loss to Sporting CP in Lisbon on Tuesday, a devastating blow that leaves the Premier League giants struggling in the Champions League group stage.
The game started promisingly for City as Phil Foden capitalised on a Sporting defensive error to slot the ball in the net within the opening four minutes.
However, Sporting’s resilience quickly turned the tide.
By the 38th minute, Sporting equalised through Viktor Gyokeres, who slotted home a close-range shot following a brilliant through ball from Geovany Quenda.
Shortly after halftime, Sporting intensified their attack. Maximiliano Araujo found the back of the net in the 46th minute, putting Sporting in the lead at 2-1.
Minutes later, City’s Josko Gvardiol fouled a Sporting player in the box, resulting in a penalty that Gyokeres confidently converted, making it 3-1.
City had a glimmer of hope in the 67th minute when a VAR review awarded them a penalty, but Erling Haaland’s spot-kick struck the crossbar, dashing their comeback chances.
Phil Foden’s free-kick attempt in the 74th minute also narrowly missed.
The Portuguese side sealed City’s fate in the 81st minute, with Gyokeres completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot despite Ederson’s attempted save. The defeat has left Manchester City on precarious ground as they look to regain their footing in the Champions League.