Sporting CP’s first game since the departure of manager Ruben Amorim ended in disaster, as Arsenal delivered a dominant 5-1 victory in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), snapping Sporting’s nine-match winning streak at the Estadio José Alvalade.
The Gunners asserted control early, taking the lead within seven minutes when Gabriel Martinelli finished off a precise Jurriën Timber cross after a fluid passing sequence.
Arsenal doubled their advantage midway through the first half as Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz combined in a quick move, with Havertz eventually slotting the ball past Franco Israel. Sporting’s best chance of the opening period came from Geovany Quenda, whose fierce effort was saved by David Raya.
Arsenal, however, extended their lead to 3-0 just before halftime, as Gabriel Magalhães powered in Declan Rice’s corner.
Sporting started the second half brightly and pulled a goal back through Gonçalo Inácio, who capitalized on a well-placed corner from Francisco Trincão. The goal marked the 56th consecutive home match in which Sporting found the net.
However, Arsenal quickly regained control when Martin Ødegaard was fouled in the box by Ousmane Diomande. Saka calmly converted the resulting penalty to restore the three-goal cushion.
Despite the deficit, Sporting showed resilience. Morten Hjulmand tested Raya with a powerful strike, and Trincão’s deflected effort narrowly missed. Yet Arsenal sealed the rout late in the game when substitute Leandro Trossard headed home from close range.
Viktor Gyökeres, largely subdued on the night, saw his late shot brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Raya.
The win ended Arsenal’s five-game winless streak away from home in the UCL and extended their unbeaten record against Sporting to seven matches.
It was a sobering night for the hosts, who now face the challenge of regrouping without Amorim at the helm.
