Lokomotiv Moscow 2-4 Sporting Lisbon: Visitors keep Europa League hopes alive

The Portuguese side came from behind to take all three points in Russia and secure their first European win away from home in 18 attempts

Fredy Montero produced a man-of-the-match performance, scoring one and setting up two as Sporting Lisbon secured an impressive 4-2 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow at the Lokomotiv Stadium.

Bryan Ruiz, Gelson Martins and Matheus Pereira were also on target, as Sporting responded brilliantly after falling behind to Maicon’s earlier effort before Aleksei Miranchuk grabbed a late consolation for the hosts.

The victory keeps the Portuguese Premier League leaders’ hopes of qualifying for the round of 32 alive, as well as giving them their first European win on the road in 18 attempts.

Despite a positive start to the game, they found themselves behind inside five minutes. Naldo’s interception fell straight into the path of Maicon, who raced clear on goal unchallenged before calmly slotting the ball past Marcelo Boeck

The visitors had only won one of their previous eight against Russian opposition, but showed very good character and determination after going behind.

They equalised in the 20th minute when Montero was allowed to ghost into the six-yard area to meet Ricardo Esgaio’s cross and volley home.

The goalscorer then turned provider on 38 minutes following a neat one-two with Ruiz, who got in behind the defence before deliciously lifting the ball over the advancing Guilherme to put Sporting in front.

Montero was involved again five minutes later when he slid the ball through for Gelson, who ran in unchallenged and neatly poked the ball between the keeper’s legs.

Gelson then provided the assist as the visitors made it four on the hour-mark. Pereira raced onto the winger’s through ball, before also finishing through the legs of Guilherme.

Ruiz nearly added a fifth when he rattled the post with 20 minutes remaining, but Lokomotiv grabbed a consolation five minutes from time when Miranchuk controlled Delvin N’Dinga’s cross before volleying past Boeck.