Manchester City drew a rare home blank against Sporting but had already done more than enough to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Manchester City are through to a fifth straight UEFA Champions League quarter-final after a 0-0 draw with Sporting CP confirmed a 5-0 aggregate triumph.
Key moments
38′ Adán thwarts Sterling’s attempted chip
47′ Jesus goal ruled out by VAR for offside
76′ Sub Carson off his line to deny Paulinho
With one foot already in the last eight, City lacked their customary fluency for much of the first half and it was not until Phil Foden’s cute pass played in Raheem Sterling that Antonio Adán was required in earnest.
Gabriel Jesus looked to have broken the deadlock soon after half-time but his effort was ruled out for offside.
As it happened: Man. City 0-0 Sporting
Sporting had half-chances of their own before Paulinho snuck through for perhaps the best of the game – he was thwarted, however, by substitute keeper Scott Carson, who had come off the bench for only his second ever Champions League appearance.
Sporting’s late replacement, 16-year-old Rodrigo Ribeiro, was not yet born when Carson made his own competition debut in April 2005.
Sterling hit the side netting late on.
Pep Guardiola, Man. City manager: “The last decade, step by step, the club grew and for many years we were there in the Champions League and qualifying for the last 16. Now, again, we’re in the quarter-final and among the best eight teams in Europe.”
Fernandinho, Player of the Match: “We had chances to score and moved the ball well. We would have liked to win, of course, but we’re happy to be through and look forward to the quarter-finals.”
Rúben Amorim, Sporting coach: “We played a hard game. In the second half we improved. I’m satisfied [enough], it’s always positive not to lose away to a powerful opponent like this.”
