Sporting Portugal finished last in Group D of the Champions League. At halftime, the Portuguese were virtually still in the lead in the group thanks to the lead over Eintracht Frankfurt, which straightened their backs in the second company and took the win: 1-2. At the same time, Tottenham Hotspur won a visit to Olympique Marseille (1-2), making Sporting last in the group. Marseille advance to the Europa League, while group winners Tottenham and Eintracht advance to the knockout stages of the Champions League. The elimination of Sporting is excellent news for the Netherlands on the coefficient list.
Sporting Portugal – Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2
The entertainment value was limited for the spectators in the opening phase of the first half, because great opportunities were hardly noted. Sporting, with Jeremiah St. Juste in the starting line-up, came into a favorable position in the 39th minute of play. Djibril Sow’s failed attempt to get the sting out of a cross from the right put the ball at Arthur Gomes’ feet. The winger remained icy calm and scored effectively: 1-0. With that standings, Sporting was certain of a place in the knockout phase of the Champions League, and it would also be the first in history that Portugal would have three clubs in the final phase of the billion-dollar ball. In the second act, however, things went wrong for the Portuguese.
After an hour of play, arbiter Slavko Vincic made the questionable decision to award Eintracht a penalty. Sebastián Coates apparently unconsciously made hands and then had to watch Daichi Kamada prepare for the penalty. The midfielder chose the right angle: 1-1. Ten minutes later, the visitors took the lead. Ansgar Knauff had an excellent through ball on Randal Kolo Muani, who found the far corner from within the box with a diagonal shot: 1-2. In the remainder of the game, Sporting failed to avert a defeat.
Olympique Marseille – Tottenham Hotspur 1-2
Marseille started the meeting with a lot of attacking spirit and got the first chance within three minutes. Alexis Sánchez, near the penalty spot, nodded towards the corner, but his effort went just wide. The Chilean had another excellent opportunity halfway through the first act; this time the outstanding goalkeeper Hugo Lloris prevented a goal. Shortly afterwards, Tottenham suffered a major setback: Son Heung-min was hit hard by Chancel Mbemba and, even after a long injury treatment, was unable to continue the game. During the first company, the visitors were under high pressure from Marseille, which took the lead a few minutes before half-time.
Jordan Veretout had a nice kick in the house from a corner and served Mbembe, who found the corner with a firm header: 1-0. Tottenham were shaken awake in the second half. The play was more attacking and Harry Kane came close to equalizing twice within minutes, although he lacked fortune in the finish. The 1-1 fell in the 54th minute. Ivan Perisic delivered the ball from a free kick from the left to Clément Lenglet, who towered high above the defense and nodded in: 1-1. Kane thought he would give his team the lead after an hour of play, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Although Marseille came very close to scoring another goal, Tottenham eventually took the win. Deep in injury time, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg made the 1-2 on a pass from Kane.