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Sporting CP made an aggressive start to UEFA Youth League matchday 5, showing a real determination to take the game 7️⃣ to Real Madrid with some good movement in possession and high pressing without it. However, a strike from Sergio Diaz 7️⃣ against the run of play really shook Tiago Fernandes's side and the team from the Spanish capital showed their maturity 7️⃣ with some well controlled football. The occasional turn of pace from Gutiérrez Hernández's outfit is what troubled Sporting's under-19's the most 7️⃣ and on 38 minutes Hernando doubled Madrid's lead with a header. Pedro Marques had a half chance to pull Sporting 7️⃣ CP back within a goal, but his shot straight at the keeper summed up what had been a frustrating first-half. The 7️⃣ break did prove useful for the Alvalade youngsters, who came out looking more aggressive and with a touch more pace 7️⃣ going forward. Rafael Leão was somehow denied by Luca Zidane after an excellent dart down the left wing from Pedro 7️⃣ Ferreira, before Rafael hammered a header against the bar. A goal really was deserved for Fernandes's charges and it finally 7️⃣ came in the 69th minute, courtesy of Daniel Bragança after a pass from Pedro Ferreira that Pedro Marques could have 7️⃣ first converted on. Sporting CP's rally was dealt an extremely harsh blow by a couple of debatable decisions from the referee, 7️⃣ which saw Real Madrid break forward and net a third through Franchu (73’). Despite the loss, Tiago Fernandes's side still hold 7️⃣ their fate in their own hands, with a win in Poland against Legia Warsaw on matchday 6 enough to secure 7️⃣ qualification for the next round. |