Played
March 29, 2012 3:05 PM EDT
Estádio José Alvalade — Lisboa
Referee: W. Stark
Attendance: 40512
March 29, 2012 3:05 PM EDT
Estádio José Alvalade — Lisboa
Referee: W. Stark
Attendance: 40512
Sporting 2-1 Metalist Kharkiv: Izmailov and Insua give hosts victory but late consolation hands Ukrainian side hope for second leg
The Ukrainian team's late penalty keeps its qualification hopes alive for the return leg next week as the hosts secured their seventh straight continental victory at home.
By Luis Mira
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Sporting Lisbon has taken an important step towards reaching the Europa League semifinals after defeating Metalist Kharkiv 2-1 in the first leg at the Estadio de Alvalade.
The game started off slowly, with neither side able to impose their will on the game, as the first sign of danger came only in the 38th minute, when Daniel Carrico tried his luck from distance, but his shot went straight into the hands of Olexandr Goryainov.
Four minutes later, the Ukrainian goalkeeper was at fault as he failed to clear a free kick from Matias Fernandez, and the ball fell into the path of Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who could not direct his shot goalwards.
After such a poor first half from both sides, Sporting came out strongly from the interval and broke the deadlock after just six minutes. Diego Capel and Emiliano Insua exchanged passes on the left flank before the Spanish winger squared for Marat Izmailov to slide home.
Sporting was now in the driving seat and doubled their lead in the 64th minute, when Insua sent home a low free kick targeted at the right corner of Goryainov's goal.
Metalist came close to scoring on 74 minutes, when Cristian Villagra picked up the ball inside the Sporting box and sent in a low cross for Taison, whose shot at point-blank range was denied by Rui Patricio.
The Ukrainian side reduced the deficit in injury time as Patricio brought down Marko Devic inside the area after stopping Marlos' initial shot with a flying save. Cleiton Xavier made no mistake from the spot and sent the Portuguese keeper the wrong way.
The result leaves the tie wide open for the return leg in Ukraine on April 5. The Leoes have reasons to celebrate, however, as they have equaled Barcelona's record for the highest number of consecutive continental victories after securing their seventh Europa League success at the Estadio de Alvalade in 2011-12.
The game started off slowly, with neither side able to impose their will on the game, as the first sign of danger came only in the 38th minute, when Daniel Carrico tried his luck from distance, but his shot went straight into the hands of Olexandr Goryainov.
Four minutes later, the Ukrainian goalkeeper was at fault as he failed to clear a free kick from Matias Fernandez, and the ball fell into the path of Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who could not direct his shot goalwards.
After such a poor first half from both sides, Sporting came out strongly from the interval and broke the deadlock after just six minutes. Diego Capel and Emiliano Insua exchanged passes on the left flank before the Spanish winger squared for Marat Izmailov to slide home.
Sporting was now in the driving seat and doubled their lead in the 64th minute, when Insua sent home a low free kick targeted at the right corner of Goryainov's goal.
Metalist came close to scoring on 74 minutes, when Cristian Villagra picked up the ball inside the Sporting box and sent in a low cross for Taison, whose shot at point-blank range was denied by Rui Patricio.
The Ukrainian side reduced the deficit in injury time as Patricio brought down Marko Devic inside the area after stopping Marlos' initial shot with a flying save. Cleiton Xavier made no mistake from the spot and sent the Portuguese keeper the wrong way.
The result leaves the tie wide open for the return leg in Ukraine on April 5. The Leoes have reasons to celebrate, however, as they have equaled Barcelona's record for the highest number of consecutive continental victories after securing their seventh Europa League success at the Estadio de Alvalade in 2011-12.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
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2 - 0Final
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0 - 3Final
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0 - 1Final
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2 - 1Final
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1 - 0Final
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3 - 0Final
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0 - 2Final
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0 - 2Final
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2 - 1Final
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1 - 1Final
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4 - 0Final
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2 - 0Final
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0 - 1Final
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1 - 1Final
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1 - 1Final
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0 - 1Final
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2 - 1Final
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1 - 1Final
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0 - 0Final
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1 - 0Final
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2 - 2Final
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1 - 1Final
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0 - 3Final
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0 - 3Final
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3 - 1Final
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2 - 1Final
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2 - 1Final
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0 - 2Final
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Libor Kozák Striker Lazio |
10 | 0 |
|
Ó. Cardozo Striker Benfica |
8 | 3 |
|
Rodrigo Palacio Striker Inter |
8 | 0 |
|
Eto'o Striker Anji Makhachkal |
7 | 2 |
|
Edinson Cavani Striker Napoli |
7 | 2 |
