‘Holy Grail’: can Man City finally win the Champions League?

Pep Guardiola’s side thrashed Sporting 5-0 in the round of 16 first leg

Man City’s Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring against Sporting CP
Man City’s Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring against Sporting CP
(Image credit: Pedro Fiúza/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

It’s only “half-time” in their round of 16 tie against Sporting CP, but Manchester City already have one foot in the Uefa Champions League quarter-finals after a stunning 5-0 win in Lisbon.

Pep Guardiola’s side strolled to victory against the Portuguese champions on Tuesday night with Bernardo Silva (two), Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling on the scoresheet. Silva, in particular, was “brilliant”, said the BBC, with the former Benfica man “silencing the boos that greeted every touch” the Lisbon-born player made.

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Mike Starling is the digital features editor at The Week, where he writes content and edits the Arts & Life and Sport website sections and the Food & Drink and Travel newsletters. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon.