Frankfurt's Champions League dreams continue with shock win over Sporting
The city of Frankfurt won't be sleeping much tonight, as their club are astonishingly into the Champions League round of 16. Goals from Daichi Kamada and Randal Kolo Muani earned Eintracht a massive victory in Portugal.
| Kevin Trapp. | Photo: Sven Mandel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Tottenham defeated Marseille late in the other Group D match, meaning Die Adler finished second in the group.
Both sides were on the front foot to begin the game, but Kristijan Jakic (playing at center-back due to several injuries) received a yellow card to prevent a Sporting attack within the opening minutes.
Frankfurt somehow didn't score in the 12th minute when they had several chances right in front of goal from a corner. Seconds later, Daichi Kamada was given a yellow card of his own to the disbelief of the German club.
Sporting's Nuno Santos was then stretchered off with about 15 minutes remaining in the first half with an ankle injury. Slightly against the run of play, Arthur Gomes connected on a cross to narrowly slide the ball past Kevin Trapp in the 39th minute.
Despite several Frankfurt chances on goal, the Portuguese club took a 1-0 lead into the second period. Frankfurt needed at least two goals in the final 45, as Sebastian Rode was subbed on for Jesper Lindstrøm at halftime.
The Eagles looked like the more dangerous team offensively and received a massive penalty following a Sebastian Coates handball. Kamada scored from the spot to draw the game level in the 61st minute.
Incredibly, Randal Kolo Muani's powerful strike just ten minutes later earned Frankfurt a deserved advantage. They held off Sporting's efforts for the rest of the contest, as celebrations ensued between players on the pitch and supporters in the away section.
With the loss, Sporting are into the Europa League.
Oliver Glasner's team travel to Augsburg this weekend before facing Hoffenheim and Mainz in league play next week.
