The much-anticipated match between Sporting CP vs Lille in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League League Phase unfolded on Tuesday night, as both teams aimed to begin their campaigns on a high note. Sporting CP, playing at home, secured a convincing 2-0 victory over a 10-man Lille side. The goals came from Viktor Gyökeres in the first half and Zeno Debast in the second, while Lille’s Angel Gomes saw red before halftime.
Sporting CP vs Lille Head-to-Head
Both teams have a rich history in European competition, but this was their first meeting in the new UEFA Champions League League Phase format. Sporting CP, eager to impress in front of their fans, were coming off a solid domestic performance, while Lille, looking to prove themselves, hoped to test Sporting’s defense.
Sporting CP (4-3-3)
Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Franco Israel
- Defenders: Ousmane Diomande, Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Geovany Quenda
- Midfielders: Hidemasa Morita, Morten Hjulmand, Pote
- Forwards: Trincão, Geny Catamo, Viktor Gyökeres
Substitutions:
- Minute 13: Gonçalo Inácio was replaced by Matheus Reis.
- Halftime: Hidemasa Morita was replaced by Daniel Bragança.
- Minute 73: Geovany Quenda was replaced by Maximiliano Araújo.
- Minute 88: Trincão was replaced by Conrad Harder.
Lille OSC (4-4-2)
Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Lucas Chevalier
- Defenders: Thomas Meunier, Aïssa Mandi, Alexsandro Ribeiro, Mitchel Bakker
- Midfielders: Osame Sahraoui, Benjamin André, Angel Gomes, Edon Zhegrova
- Forwards: Jonathan David, Bafodé Diakité
Substitutions:
- Minute 40: Angel Gomes was sent off (red card).
- Minute 64: Thomas Meunier was replaced by Tiago Santos.
- Minute 64: Aïssa Mandi was replaced by Ayyoub Bouaddi.
- Minute 64: Jonathan David was replaced by Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
- Minute 71: Osame Sahraoui was replaced by Rémy Cabella.
- Minute 82: Mitchel Bakker was replaced by Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Sporting CP vs Lille First Half: Dominant Sporting and Lille’s Setback
The match began with Sporting CP pressing high and creating early chances, with Viktor Gyökeres and Trincão testing Lille’s defense. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Viktor Gyökeres received a perfect pass from Pote and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.
Lille’s woes compounded just two minutes later when Angel Gomes was shown his second yellow card after a reckless challenge on Gyökeres, leaving Lille with 10 men for the rest of the match. The French side, now reduced to defensive tactics, faced an uphill battle as the first half ended with Sporting CP leading 1-0.
Sporting CP vs Lille Second Half: Sporting CP Seals the Win
Sporting CP came out strong in the second half, looking to capitalize on their numerical advantage. In the 65th minute, Zeno Debast scored a stunning long-range strike into the top right corner, assisted by Daniel Bragança, making it 2-0.
Despite Lille’s efforts to regroup with substitutions, they were unable to break through Sporting’s organized defense. Sporting CP controlled the game, and although Lille managed a few late attempts, Franco Israel kept a clean sheet. The match ended 2-0 in favor of the home side.
Sporting CP vs Lille Stats
| Sporting CP vs Lille Stats | Sporting CP | Lille |
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Possession (%) | 60 | 40 |
| Shots (On Target) | 14 (7) | 8 (3) |
| Corners | 6 | 3 |
| Fouls | 18 | 22 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Offsides | 3 | 4 |
| Saves | 3 | 5 |
Sporting CP vs Lille Timeline of Key Events
- 38′: Goal! Viktor Gyökeres opens the scoring with a right-footed shot, assisted by Pote.
- 40′: Angel Gomes receives a second yellow card for a foul on Gyökeres, leaving Lille with 10 men.
- 45’+6: First half ends with Sporting CP leading 1-0.
- 65′: Zeno Debast scores a spectacular long-range goal to double Sporting CP’s lead.
- 90’+4: Full-time whistle, Sporting CP 2-0 Lille.
Fouls and Discipline
- Sporting CP: Hidemasa Morita (Yellow 45′), Zeno Debast (Yellow 86′)
- Lille: Angel Gomes (Yellow 21′, Red 40′), Jonathan David (Yellow 40′), Benjamin André (Yellow 56′), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Yellow 72′)
Sporting CP vs Lille Man of the Match
Viktor Gyökeres was named the Man of the Match for his pivotal role in the victory, scoring the opener and drawing the foul that led to Angel Gomes’ red card.
Sporting CP vs Lille Impact on Points Table
This win puts Sporting CP at 6th place in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League League Phase with 3 points and a 1-0-0 record. Lille, on the other hand, start their campaign at the bottom of the table with no points and a 0-0-1 record.
Sporting CP delivered a dominant performance to kick off their 2024-25 UEFA Champions League campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Lille. With contributions from Viktor Gyökeres and Zeno Debast, the Portuguese side showed their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, capitalizing on Lille’s numerical disadvantage. Lille will need to regroup after this tough loss, while Sporting CP will look forward to their next challenge against PSV Eindhoven.
