Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Sporting: Bellarabi brace bags last 16 spot

Two goals from Karim Bellarabi and a sensational third from Hakan Calhanoglu was enough to see the German side make their way through to the Round of 16

Bayer Leverkusen sealed their place in the last 16 of the Europa League with a 3-1 win overSporting at BayArena on Thursday, sealing a 4-1 aggregate victory.

Karim Bellarabi broke the deadlock midway through the first half, as he smashed an effort from close range past helpless goalkeeper Rui Patricio after being fed through on goal by Javier Hernandez.

Sporting had a good opportunity to achieve a foothold in the tie moments later but Carlos Mane fluffed his lines and stumbled over the ball inside the area to let the chance go begging.

Seconds later however they were level, Bernd Leno could only parry Mane’s shot to the feet of Joao Mario, who slotted in from close range to level up the match.

But Bellarabi sealed Bayer’s progression with a piece of fine individual skill in the second period, cutting inside from the left flank before crashing in a powerful drive that flew into the net.

With less than five minutes remaining on the clock Hakan Calhanoglu put the game beyond any doubt as he struck a wonderful third for the hosts.





Leverkusen were the ones to start faster as Wendell forced Rui Patrico, Sporting’s most decorated appearance-maker in Europe following tonight's exersions, into a save after 12 minutes.

Sporting began to work their way into the game after a pedestrian start from the visitors, however, their task for the evening became all the more difficult when they were caught on the counter-attack.

An inviting ball forward was collected by Javier Hernandez on the edge of the box and the former Manchester United striker calmly fed Germany international Bellarabi, who drove a low shot between the legs of Patricio.

But the hosts' lead didn't last long as Mario stabbed home a leveller just before the break, giving Sporting hope of reaching the next round.

However, it was Leverkusen who took control after the interval as Bellarabi, who scored the only goal in the first leg, smashed home a wonderstrike from distance after 65 minutes.

Cutting in from the left wing, the 25-year-old struck across the ball with venom leaving Patricio with little chance to keep him at bay.

Apart from Bernd Leno needing to rush off his line to deny substitute Islam Slimani from prodding home, Leverkusen were comfortable at the back before adding another fantastic goal late on.

Hakan Calhanoglu, who caused Sporting all sorts of problems with his set-piece delivery on the night, blasted home a third in the dying minutes from Jonathan Tah’s long ball pass forward.