Sporting pull off outrageous stoppage time comeback to defeat Vorskla in Ukraine

Sporting, with just 1 minute of normal time remaining, trailed 1-0 and looked set to be dealt a severe blow in their efforts to advance from the Europa League group stage.

But, with Fredy Montero on as a substitute and heavily involved, Sporting completed a highly unlikely comeback, scoring two goals in the closing 5 minutes to earn a vital win in Ukraine and condemn Vorskla to a heartbreaking last-gasp defeat.

Vorskla took the lead early on, when Kulach scored an impressive sliding effort from just outside the box in the tenth minute, with Salin unable to keep the ball out despite getting a hand to it.

With the goal coming so early, Sporting, who were significantly rotated for this outing, likely felt they still had the situation under control, with plenty of time to rectify the decision. 

But up to the 80th minute, Sporting didn't have too many clear-cut chances, and looked unlikely to find one, let alone two. With the clock ticking down, the chances finally started to arrive, a goalmouth scramble the only thing that prevented Sporting from equalising.

And Sporting finally started to look dangerous in the closing minutes. Bringing on Fredy Montero and Jovane Cabral, proved a masterstroke by Peseiro, with both getting heavily involved. And it was the former that found the equalising goal in the 90th minute, cutting inside before bending the ball into the bottom right corner.

Sporting, likely content with a decent away point having looked so likely to drop all 3 points, then had their backs against the wall for the next minute or so. With Sporting penned in their own half from Vorskla's free-kick, it seemed like the Lisbon side may have to grind out the respectable draw.

However, winning back the call Sporting quickly turned defence into attack, moving up the pitch with pace, and Bruno Fernandes eventually got on the ball down the left-hand side, before playing the ball into young Jovane Cabral, who slotted home from close range. A remarkable turnaround, which saw Sporting go from third in the table on just 3 points, to 2nd in the standings, a huge 6 points clear of both their Ukrainian opponents and Qarabag.

Sporting next play host to group leaders Arsenal in the Europa League, who are top of the table by virtue goal difference. The clash is sure to be a challenge for Sporting, who come up against a side that have won all of their last 8 competitive games.