Sporting CP left Lens with a 2-0 win that kept their Champions League start perfect, extending a European run built on defensive discipline and ruthless breaks. The Portuguese side, quarter-finalists last season after taking eventual runners-up Arsenal to the limit, once again showed they can make a tie turn quickly when opponents leave room behind them.
Lens began by allowing Sporting the space they wanted. The visitors repeatedly broke into the channels, with Arankunda particularly sharp down the left, and the opening goal arrived in the 22nd minute. His cross found Luis Suárez, who finished first time with the outside of his foot to put Sporting ahead.
The Colombian forward nearly doubled the advantage soon afterwards, only for Risser to keep out his powerful attempt. Sporting then failed to make several further counter-attacks count, while Kaique, making his debut in goal, produced a series of important saves to protect the lead.
Lens pressure fails to change the night
After the interval, Lens pushed higher and found greater influence through Thauvin, but their pressure lacked the final edge. Sporting absorbed the difficult spell and waited for another opening, knowing that the home side’s attacking commitment could again leave them exposed.
That moment arrived when Doumbia ran on to a pass into space, took advantage of the goalkeeper’s poor decision to come out, and rolled the ball into a virtually unguarded net. It was the decisive second goal on a night in which Sporting’s composure without the ball mattered as much as their pace in transition.
Lens introduced 16-year-old Mezian, who had made an impact in the opening round and has drawn comparisons with Lamine Yamal, but he was unable to alter the contest. Too few passes reached him in dangerous positions, and Sporting saw out a clean-sheet victory that leaves them with maximum points from their opening two matches.
