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Liedson writes himself into Sporting history

Shakhtar Donetsk 0-1 Sporting

Sporting produced a fine backs-to-the-wall display to snatch a crucial victory in Ukraine against Shakhtar Donetsk and put themselves in pole position to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time.

Liedson scored the all-important goal in the 76th minute after being brilliantly set up by strike partner Derlei. The Brazilian thus became Sporting’s all time top goalscorer in Europe, totalling 19 goals in Uefa competitions.

Paulo Bento sprang something of a surprise in his starting XI, with Miguel Veloso selected at left-back in place of Argentine Leandro Grimi, who was dropped after some recent indifferent displays.

Forgettable first half

A physical and largely dull first half was almost completely devoid of goalmouth action. The home side enjoyed most of the possession and fashioned the only worthwhile shot on goal, with Moreno hitting a speculative volley that Patricio had little trouble in stopping.

While Sporting looked secure at the back, the Lions lacked penetration up front. Rochemback sent their one first-half shot at goal flying wide from a free-kick.

The second half brought about a marked improvement from both sides, with Shakhtar starting to look threatening, especially via some dangerous wing play on both flanks. From one such raid Rat produce a superb cross that Moreno headed wide with Patricio rooted to the spot.

Sporting hit straight back and captain Moutinho came up with an exquisite piece of wing play of his own to create space and whip in an excellent delivery onto the head of Liedson, who sent his powerful effort wide.

The hosts continued to look menacing however, and the impressive Jadson almost found a way through when his shot from distance took a wicked deflection off Tonel, but Patricio showed good reflexes to dive and pluck the ball out of the air as it was heading for the top corner of the net.

Let off for Sporting

Shakhtar’s best chance of the match then came and went as Brandao somehow failed to connect with another superb cross, this time from Srna, when the slightest of touches would have broken the deadlock.

At that stage Sporting would have probably taken the draw, but Liedson had other ideas. A free-kick was swung into the box by Rochemback, and the danger seemed to have been cleared as Derlei raced onto the loose ball running away from goal.

But the veteran forward surprised the defence with a sublime back-heel which Liedson latched onto with typical zeal, taking one touch before firing the ball under goalkeeper Pyatov to give Sporting the lead.

The Lisbon outfit had a quarter of an hour to defend their lead and did so with commendable composure as a late Shakhtar rally failed to materialise.

A repeat victory for Sporting in Lisbon against the same opponents in a fortnight’s time will ensure qualification for the next stage of the competition.

Shakhtar Donetsk:
Pyatov, Srna, Kucher, Chygrynskyy, Rat, Hubschman (Gai, 83), Duljaj, Fernandinho, Jadson (William, 72), Brandao, Moreno (Gladky, 72)
Yellow Cards: Srna

Sporting:
Rui Patricio, Abel, Tonel, Polga, Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Rochemback, Romagnoli (Pereirinha, 68), Izmailov (Gimi, 73), Liedson, Derlei (Helder Postiga, 88)
Yellow Cards: Rui Patricio

Goals:
[0-1] Liedson, 76