LISBON, Portugal – Sporting CP needed until the final 25 minutes to break down stubborn FC Kairat before scoring three quick goals to win 4-1 on Wednesday night, giving the Kazakhstani side a harsh lesson in their first ever Champions League match.
The big story of the first half was teenage goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza who was only playing because of injuries to other keepers. The 19-year-old had the game of his life early on, making some brilliant saves to keep his team level. He denied Pedro Gonçalves with his legs then saved a penalty from Morten Hjulmand after Alexander Mrynskiy fouled Luis Suárez in the box. Kalmurza didn’t fall for Hjulmand’s stuttering run-up and managed to stop it with his legs again.
Sporting was dominating possession but couldn’t find a way through until Francisco Trincão finally broke the deadlock. The winger curled a lovely shot into the top corner and this time Kalmurza couldn’t keep it out even though he got a hand to it. Before that goal though, Kairat nearly shocked everyone when Dastan Satpayev hit a long range shot that João Virgínia had to tip over brilliantly.
The second half started crazy with chances at both ends in the first two minutes. Satpayev got another good opportunity after some sloppy Sporting passing but Virgínia made a great low save. Seconds later Suárez smashed a header against the bar after Kalmurza flapped at a cross and couldn’t get there.
For most of the second half it looked like Kairat might hold on for a famous result, but then Sporting scored three goals in three minutes to kill the game off. Trincão got his second with another curled shot into the top corner from 12 yards out. A minute later substitute Alisson Santos scored his first goal for the club after a great run from Geovany Quenda set him up.
Then Quenda got on the scoresheet himself with a brilliant individual goal, twisting past three defenders before placing his shot perfectly to make it 4-0. The young winger showed some real class with that finish.
Kairat did get a consolation goal right at the end when substitute Edmilson smashed home their first ever Champions League goal with four minutes left. It was a special moment for the club and their fans even though the result was already decided.
Sporting will be happy to get three points but they’ll know they was made to work much harder than expected by the Champions League debutants.
