Manchester City progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday night after a goalless draw with Sporting Lisbon, meaning Pep Guardiola’s men won 5-0 on aggregate.
To say it was a non-event is an understatement, and the most entertaining part of the last-16 second leg was the pre-game lights show.
The first half produced just two shots on target, both from City, with Phil Foden and and Raheem Sterling calling Antonio Adan into smart saves.
Sterling really should have done better with the latter, when he opted to chip his shot rather than slot in round Adan.
However, the hosts could have been awarded a penalty in the first half, when Manuel Ugarte barged into the back of Gabriel Jesus inside the box. Somehow, both VAR and referee Halil Umut Meler decided not to award the spot-kick.
After such a drab first period, the second half had at least a few more shots and goal-mouth action. In fact, Gabriel Jesus did net for City with a well-placed shot with his left foot, but it was ruled out for offside.
The Brazilian had a shot saved soon after, while Riyad Mahrez and Oleksandr Zinchenko also had efforts that were off target.
After all City’s dominance, Sporting managed a few efforts themselves, with Bruno Tabata and Marcus Edwards drawing saves from Ederson.
In a further sign of just how incidental the game was, City’s goalkeeper was then replaced by veteran Scott Carson in the 73th minute. The 36-year-old was called almost immediately into action when he stopped a shot from Paulinho, Sporting’s best chance of the night.
But City ended the stronger, with Mahrez going close with a few efforts, while Raheem Sterling had the final say on the night as he hit the side netting inside the box.
1. Ederson- 6 (off 73)
Made two saves on a very quiet night and was replaced in the latter stages.
2. CJ Egan-Riley- 7
Slotted in seamlessly in his first Champions League game and was comfortable in possession.
3. John Stones- 7
Steadied Egan-Riley and constantly communicated to him. Dealt well with Sporting’s attackers and cleared a few dangerous crosses in the second half.
4. Aymeric Laporte- 6 (off 84)
Saw a lot of the ball and his passing was rarely wide of the mark. Did well to head away from a Sporting cross after the break.