Schalke see off Sporting in seven-goal thriller
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E-mail Xinhua, October 22, 2014
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Roman Neustädter of Schalke in action with Adrien Silva (right) of Sporting. |
Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting's late penalty secured Schalke a 4-3 victory over ten men Sporting Clube de Portugal at the third round of UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Schalke came from behind and established a 3-1 lead over ten men Sporting before a brace by Adrien Silva restored parity out of the blue. However, the "Knappen" recovered once again to snatch a late win by courtesy of Choupo-Moting, who stepped up to convert the 4-3 decider in the dying minutes of the game.
The visitors from Portugal caught Schalke flatfooted with just 16 minutes into the game as Nani capitalized on a drowsy Schalke defence when he had all time and space to slot home from 14 meters following a corner into the box.
It was a short-lived joy by Sporting as Mauricio was sent off after he booked his second yellow card of the game at the 33rd minute. The hosts, now in superior number, exploited their advantage immediately when Chinedu Obasi headed home a free kick cross into the box to level the scores.
Schalke turned the tides six minutes after the restart through Klaas Jan Huntelaar, who made use of Obasi's pass into path from very close range. The hosts kept it bowling and were rewarded only nine minutes later when Benedikt Hoewedes nodded home a free kick from six meters to make it 3-1 on the scoreboards.
It looked liked Schalke had sealed the deal ahead of time but things turned out to be different as Sporting started a comeback despite being reduced to 10 men.
Schalke's Kaan Ayhan brought down Andre Carrillo in the penalty box, allowing Adrien Silva to reduce the arrears from the spot at the 64th minute. The hosts seemed stunned while the visitors went one better at the 78th minute when Adrien Silva sealed his brace with a header at the far post to restore parity.
However, the hosts secured the win during the added time when Eric Maxim Choupo Moting converted a controversial handball penalty into the bottom left.
With the result Schalke occupy second place in group G, behind front runners Chelsea, followed by Maribor and Sporting.
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