UCL: Late Suarez double stuns PSG as Sporting claim dramatic Lisbon win

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain missed the opportunity to virtually seal qualification for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase after suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat to Sporting CP in Lisbon on Wednesday night, Sport360NG reports.

PSG dominated possession and territory, enjoying more than 70 per cent of the ball and firing off 28 attempts on goal, but their control failed to translate into points. The French champions were punished late on by Luis Suárez, whose brace secured a memorable home victory.

Sporting broke the deadlock in the 74th minute when Suárez reacted quickest to finish from close range. PSG responded swiftly, with substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia curling a superb equaliser into the top corner five minutes later.

However, the visitors were left stunned in the closing moments. In the 90th minute, goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier failed to deal cleanly with a long-range effort, allowing Suárez to pounce and restore Sporting’s lead.

Luis Enrique’s side had earlier seen three goals disallowed. Warren Zaïre-Emery had a first-half header ruled out for a foul in the build-up, while Nuno Mendes was denied against his former club after a foul by Ousmane Dembélé on goalkeeper Rui Silva.

Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, also saw a powerful header chalked off for offside shortly after the interval.

Sporting threatened on the counter in the second half and could have gone ahead earlier but for a missed opportunity when Francisco Trincão overhit a low cross to an unmarked Suárez.

While Silva impressed between the posts for the hosts, Chevalier endured a difficult night, conceding a corner unnecessarily for Sporting’s opener before his late error proved decisive.

The win lifts Sporting to sixth place in the standings, level on 13 points with fifth-placed PSG, and reopens the race for qualification from the group.