Manchester City, the English runners-up, stepped closer to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after thrashing their Portuguese hosts Sporting Lisbon 5-0 on Tuesday in the first leg of the Round of 16 in Lisbon. City secured their victory in a one-sided first half by scoring four goals through Algerian Riyad Mahrez (7), Portuguese Bernardo Silva with two goals (17 and 44), and Phil Foden (32), before adding a fifth goal in the second half via Raheem Sterling (59). The return leg is scheduled for March 9 in Manchester.
Owned by Emirati interests, City demonstrated their domestic superiority on the European stage, making it clear they are not satisfied with being the runners-up of the prestigious continental tournament after losing last year's final to fellow English team Chelsea 1-0. City arrived at Sporting with an impressive record in the Premier League, remaining unbeaten since matchday ten, specifically since their 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on October 30, leaving them nine points clear of closest rivals Liverpool and on track for their fourth title in the last five years. They have also lost only one match in their last 21 competitive games, a 2-1 defeat to German side Leipzig during the group stage on December 7, achieving 19 wins and a draw.
Spanish coach Pep Guardiola returned to his usual classical lineup after rotating players during their 4-0 victory against Norwich City on Saturday, missing the services of Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus and Jack Grealish due to injury. Guardiola unleashed his Portuguese stars, with Ruben Dias, Silva, Joao Cancelo, and Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson all in the starting lineup, all of whom have previously represented Benfica, Sporting's rivals. Additionally, there were Belgian Kevin De Bruyne, Algerian Mahrez, Sterling, who scored a hat trick against Norwich, and Foden.
