Lisbon, March 30 (IANS) Sporting Lisbon added another victory to their streak of seven wins in European competitions as the Portuguese team defeated Metalist Kharkiv from Ukraine 2-1 in the Europa League quarterfinals.
Sporting are in fifth place in the Portuguese championship and have few possibilities to be in the first three places that will give the right to play at next year Champions League. If Sporting beats Kharkiv in the second leg, it will be the fifth European semi-final in the club’s history.
Metalist arrived in Lisbon having the best attack of the Europa League, with 25 goals. In the first half Metalist players had the control of the match, with more ball possession. But there were few scoring opportunities for both sides, Xinhua reported.
Sporting came to the second half playing faster, with more focus on attack and the change of attitude made the difference for the hosts. Midfielder Marat Izmailov scored from a swift counter-attacking move to give Sporting the lead in the 50th minute.
Argentine wing back Insua scored from a free kick in the 64th minute to double Sporting’s lead.
In the 90th minute, Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio brought down Devich inside the box. Claiton Xavier took the penalty and scored to give the Ukranian side a crucial away goal.
