Kazakhstani side beaten 4-1 at Sporting
Frankfurt and Brugge enjoy victories
Kairat Almaty’s debut in the league phase of the Champions League was ruined by conceding three goals in four second-half minutes as Sporting ran out 4-1 winners at the Estádio José Alvalade.
The visitors from the city of Almaty in south-eastern Kazakhstan undertook the longest journey ever recorded between two clubs in Champions League history, and they struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. Sporting were handed a penalty after 21 minutes when Aleksandr Mrynskiy brought down Luis Suárez, but Morten Hjulmand’s spot kick was kept out by 18-year-old Kairat goalkeeper Sherhan Kalmurza.
The hosts had to wait until the 44th minute for their breakthrough, when Francisco Trincao curled a left-footed strike into the top corner. Kairat tried to challenge their opponents after the break but they eventually ran out of energy around the hour mark. In the 65th minute, Sporting struck on the counter as Iván Fresneda broke into the box and squared for an unmarked Trincao, who slotted home his second.
