27 September 2006, by Tom Kundert

Nani goal gives Sporting precious point in Moscow

Spartak Moscow 1-1 Sporting

A goal in the 59th minute from Nani (pictured) gave Sporting what could prove to be a crucial point against Spartak Moscow in Russia this afternoon.

Until Nani’s goal the home team dominated the match played on a synthetic surface, with Ricardo producing a world-class save to keep the deficit down to just one goal, but Paulo Bento will be delighted with his team’s return of four points from their opening two Champions League matches.

Match reaction: "A draw is positive for our aspirations" - Veloso

If Sporting were expecting an easy ride against a team that had been thrashed 4-0 in their opening match by Bayern Munich, they were soon made to change their ideas.

Storming Spartak start

Just five minutes were on the clock when Boyarintsev latched onto a loose clearance from Tonel and from the edge of the area hit a spectacular shot that was still rising as it rocketed into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Buoyed by the goal, Spartak poured forward during a torrid first 20 minutes for Sporting, with Tonel and Veloso both yellow carded as the home team came close to doubling their lead from several dead-ball situations.

A long-range Nani free-kick that was pushed away for a corner, and a dangerous cross by the same player that Liedson just failed to reach was the sum total of Sporting’s attacking intent in the first half.

In the 41st minute Ricardo was called on to make a sharp save as Boyarintsev shot powerfully from close in.

Paulo Bento decided to change things for the second half and brought on Brazilian striker Alecsandro for Miguel Garcia. Butt Spartak twice came desperately close to scoring again early in the second half through Pavlyuchenko. First the tall striker headed just wide of the post with Ricardo beaten.

Brilliant Ricardo save

In the 48th minute came perhaps the turning point of the match as another swift attack saw Pavlyuchenko in a perfect position to score, but his powerful shot was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Ricardo.

However, with Alecsandro linking well with the front players and bringing more aggressiveness to the Sporting front line, the Lisbon club at last began to get a foothold on the match. Liedson, still without a goal this season, showed great skill to trick his way past two defenders and hit a rasping volley just past the post.

The dangerous Mozart then sent an excellent free-kick just wide as the match really opened up into and exciting affair.

Just before the hour mark Sporting equalised through a magnificent move. Djalo found Nani who exchanged passes with Liedson before bursting into the box, knocking the ball past goalkeeper Kowalewski, and squeezing a shot into the net from the tightest of angles.

Alecsandro then bore down on goal as Sporting enjoyed their best period, but he was closed down before being able to get in his shot. With ten minutes remaining Bento opted to bolster the midfield, bringing on Joao Alves for Djalo.

Spartak threw everything at Sporting in the final minutes, with the lively substitute Owusu-Abeye creating several nervy moments with his quick feet and some clever play. But Sporting’s youngsters held on to put themselves in a strong position in Group B as they prepare for the double header against Bayern Munich.

PortuGOAL man of the match:
Ricardo – Portugal’s charismatic number one goalkeeper needed to be at his best throughout in a difficult encounter. He was up to the task, denying Spartak a second goal with an astonishing save.

Spartak Moscow:
Kowalewski, Jiranek, Geeer, Stranzl, Shishkin, Kovac, Mozart (Rebko, 79), Bystrov, Titov, Boyarintsev, Pavlyuchenko (Abeyie, 79)
Yellow Cards: Stranzl (79)

Sporting:
Ricardo, Miguel Garcia (Alecsandro, 45), Tonel (Paredes, 57), Polga, Caneira, Miguel Veloso, Moutinho, Nani, Tello, Yannick Djalo (Joao Alves, 81), Liedson
Yellow Cards: Tonel (9), Miguel Veloso (18)

Goals:
[1-0] Boyarintsev, 4
[1-1] Nani, 58