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Ruben Amorim's final Champions League game with Sporting CP showed Premier League fans what to expect when he joins Manchester United
Manchester City's unbeaten streak in Europe came crashing down in stunning fashion as Sporting CP, masterminded by Manchester United's incoming coach Ruben Amorim, staged an incredible comeback to hand Pep Guardiola's side a 4-1 defeat.
Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres led the charge with a stunning hat-trick, showing Manchester City’s defence no mercy and marking a rare night of vulnerability for the Premier League champions.
How it happened
The night began brightly for City, as Phil Foden capitalised on a defensive error to put his team in front to score his 18th in the competition, equalling the tally of Brazilian legend Ronaldinho.
However, Foden’s brilliance was quickly overshadowed as Sporting found their rhythm and momentum, turning the game on its head.
Sporting CP’s equaliser arrived courtesy of Viktor Gyokeres, who split two Manchester City defenders with ease before racing past them to slot the ball home.
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After the break, Sporting CP wasted no time seizing the lead, with Maximiliano Araujo storming through City’s defence and sneaking a shot past the keeper to make it 2-1. Manchester City, visibly shaken, were dealt a further blow when Gyokeres converted a penalty to widen the gap to 3-1.
The Cityzens had a chance to narrow the deficit when Erling Haaland stepped up for a penalty, only to see his shot rattle off the crossbar. Gyokeres then completed his hat-trick with a second penalty to seal a famous win over the 2023 champions.
This loss marks the first time since 2018 that Manchester City has suffered three consecutive defeats across all competitions, and Sporting’s Amorim, who lived up to his pre-game analogy by becoming the ‘new Ferguson’, humbled Guardiola's men with an emphatic display.
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