UEFA Champions League League Stage - 1

Sporting CP 4 - 1 FT Kairat Almaty

Estádio José Alvalade

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
72
FT
Thu, Sep 18
Sporting CP
4-1
Kairat Almaty
⚡ Intensity 77
⚖️ Balance 22
🏆 Stakes 67
🎲 Upset 0
Sporting demolishes Kairat in Champions League blitz

Trincao's Masterclass Sends Sporting into European Orbit

Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 72/100. Sporting CP's ruthless 4-1 demolition of Kairat Almaty at Estádio José Alvalade signals their Champions League credentials are no longer theoretical—they're a genuine threat.

The Portuguese Blitzkrieg

From the opening whistle, Intensity flooded the Estádio José Alvalade. Francisco Trincao wasn't merely playing; he was conducting a masterclass in ruthlessness. His brace—the first arriving in the 44th minute off an assist from G. Kochorashvili, the second a clinical finish in the 65th after Ivan Fresneda's cutback—framed a performance of surgical precision. Sporting controlled 64% possession and unleashed 21 shots, turning the Kazakh visitors into spectators in their own nightmare.

The Turning Point: Minutes 65-68

This wasn't a match; it was a coronation. Three goals in four minutes between the 65th and 68th minutes shattered any Balance Kairat might have mustered. Geovany Quenda, the 17-year-old sensation, orchestrated the chaos—first threading Alisson Santos through in the 67th, then finishing his own counterattack in the 68th. The Stakes were no longer in question; Sporting's dominance was total, suffocating, inevitable. Kairat's sole consolation came late when Edmilson Santos converted in the 86th, courtesy of Ricardinho's assist—a goal that merely softened the scoreline's brutality.

The Data Verdict

Sporting's 4.25 xG versus Kairat's 0.70 told the story of a mismatch. Eight shots on target against four. Eighty-six percent pass accuracy versus 75%. This wasn't luck or fortune—it was superior execution meeting tactical clarity. Kairat, arriving with respectable form (three wins in seven), simply couldn't compete with a side operating at peak Intensity. Trincao's 9.6 rating and Quenda's all-around brilliance (8.6 rating, goal and assist) epitomized Sporting's European ambitions materializing before our eyes.

Key Questions

What made Francisco Trincao the Man of the Match?

Two clinical finishes, two key passes, and relentless positioning. Trincao's 9.6 rating reflected a performance that controlled Sporting's dominance from midfield through the final third.

What caused the five-goal thriller?

Sporting's overwhelming midfield control (64% possession, 21 shots) overwhelmed Kairat's defensive structure. Three goals in four minutes exposed tactical fragility and clinical finishing.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
64%
36%
Sporting CP 64%
Kairat Almaty 36%
Shots
21
9
Sporting CP 21
Kairat Almaty 9
Shots on Target
8
4
Sporting CP 8
Kairat Almaty 4
Expected Goals (xG)
4.25
0.70
Sporting CP 4.25
Kairat Almaty 0.70
Passes
561
318
Sporting CP 561
Kairat Almaty 318
Pass Accuracy
86%
75%
Sporting CP 86%
Kairat Almaty 75%
Corners
8
3
Sporting CP 8
Kairat Almaty 3
Fouls
14
11
Sporting CP 14
Kairat Almaty 11
Yellow Cards
4
2
Sporting CP 4
Kairat Almaty 2
Red Cards
0
0
Sporting CP 0
Kairat Almaty 0

Match Events

Jorginho 🟨 39'
44' Trincao (G. Kochorashvili)
HT
61' 🔄 G. Kochorashvili H. Morita
61' 🔄 P. Goncalves Alisson Santos
61' 🔄 L. Suarez F. Ioannidis
65' 🔄 M. Araujo Matheus Reis
65' Trincao (I. Fresneda)
67' Alisson Santos (G. Quenda)
68' G. Quenda
69' 🟨 Geovany Quenda
70' 🔄 M. Hjulmand Z. Debast
O. Arad Edmilson Santos 🔄 70'
E. Tapalov J. Stanojev 🔄 70'
D. Kasabulat A. Sadybekov 🔄 75'
79' 🟨 Zeno Debast
L. Mata L. Kurgin 🔄 81'
A. Mrynskiy Ricardinho 🔄 81'
Edmilson Santos (Ricardinho) 86'
Dastan Satpaev 🟨 90'+2
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

Sporting CP

Goalkeepers
J. Virginia
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
I. Fresneda
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
50%
Pass Acc
E. Quaresma
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Inacio
MAGNET
MAGNET
88
Activity
88
Activity
78
Passes
10
Duels
M. Araujo
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
62%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
M. Hjulmand
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
G. Kochorashvili
PROVIDER
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.7
Rating
G. Quenda
SNIPER
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Trincao
HITMAN
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
2
On Target
9.6
Rating
P. Goncalves
DRIBBLER
DRIBBLER
7
Dribbles
7
Dribbles
8
Attempts
88%
Success %
Forwards
L. Suarez
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
BENCH
Diego Callai
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Matheus Reis
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Z. Debast
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Vagiannidis
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Mangas
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Morita
SUPER SUB
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
29
Minutes
6.9
Rating
J. Simoes
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rayan Lucas
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alisson Santos
SUPER SUB
SUPER SUB
1
Goal
1
Goal
29
Minutes
7.9
Rating
R. Ribeiro
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Anjos
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Ioannidis
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Kairat Almaty

Goalkeepers
S. Kalmyrza
PENALTY HERO
PENALTY HERO
1
Pens Saved
1
Pens Saved
4
Saves
7.9
Rating
Defenders
E. Tapalov
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
19%
Pass Acc
A. Martynovich
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
E. Sorokin
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Mata
ENFORCER
ENFORCER
5
Tackles
5
Tackles
6
Duels Won
75%
Win %
Midfielders
D. Kasabulat
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
O. Arad
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
A. Mrynskiy
FRIENDLY FIRE
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
1
Fouls
5.9
Rating
Jorginho
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
V. Gromyko
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
D. Satpaev
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
D. Reimov
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
B. Aldashev
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
L. Kurgin
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Shirobokov
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Sadybekov
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Baybek
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Stanojev
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Edmilson Santos
CLUTCH HERO
CLUTCH HERO
86
Goal Time
86
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.7
Rating
Ricardinho
SUPER SUB
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
9
Minutes
6.7
Rating

League Standings

Pos Team P Pts GF GA GD Form
1 Eintracht Frankfurt 1 3 5 1 +4 WEintracht Frankfurt 5 - 1 Galatasaray (18-09-2025)
2 Paris Saint Germain 1 3 4 0 +4 WParis Saint Germain 4 - 0 Atalanta (17-09-2025)
3 Sporting CP 1 3 4 1 +3 WSporting CP 4 - 1 Kairat Almaty (18-09-2025)
4 Club Brugge KV 1 3 4 1 +3 WClub Brugge KV 4 - 1 Monaco (18-09-2025)
5 Bayern München 1 3 3 1 +2 WBayern München 3 - 1 Chelsea (17-09-2025)
6 Union St. Gilloise 1 3 3 1 +2 WPSV Eindhoven 1 - 3 Union St. Gilloise (16-09-2025)
7 Arsenal 1 3 2 0 +2 WAthletic Club 0 - 2 Arsenal (16-09-2025)
8 Manchester City 1 3 2 0 +2 WManchester City 2 - 0 Napoli (18-09-2025)
9 Inter 1 3 2 0 +2 WAjax 0 - 2 Inter (17-09-2025)
10 Liverpool 1 3 3 2 +1 WLiverpool 3 - 2 Atletico Madrid (17-09-2025)
11 Qarabag 1 3 3 2 +1 WBenfica 2 - 3 Qarabag (16-09-2025)
12 Barcelona 1 3 2 1 +1 WNewcastle 1 - 2 Barcelona (18-09-2025)
13 Real Madrid 1 3 2 1 +1 WReal Madrid 2 - 1 Marseille (16-09-2025)
14 Tottenham 1 3 1 0 +1 WTottenham 1 - 0 Villarreal (16-09-2025)
15 Borussia Dortmund 1 1 4 4 0 DJuventus 4 - 4 Borussia Dortmund (16-09-2025)
16 Juventus 1 1 4 4 0 DJuventus 4 - 4 Borussia Dortmund (16-09-2025)
17 Bayer Leverkusen 1 1 2 2 0 DFC Copenhagen 2 - 2 Bayer Leverkusen (18-09-2025)
18 Bodo/Glimt 1 1 2 2 0 DSlavia Praha 2 - 2 Bodo/Glimt (17-09-2025)
19 FC Copenhagen 1 1 2 2 0 DFC Copenhagen 2 - 2 Bayer Leverkusen (18-09-2025)
20 Slavia Praha 1 1 2 2 0 DSlavia Praha 2 - 2 Bodo/Glimt (17-09-2025)
21 Olympiakos Piraeus 1 1 0 0 0 DOlympiakos Piraeus 0 - 0 Pafos (17-09-2025)
22 Pafos 1 1 0 0 0 DOlympiakos Piraeus 0 - 0 Pafos (17-09-2025)
23 Benfica 1 0 2 3 -1 LBenfica 2 - 3 Qarabag (16-09-2025)
24 Atletico Madrid 1 0 2 3 -1 LLiverpool 3 - 2 Atletico Madrid (17-09-2025)
25 Newcastle 1 0 1 2 -1 LNewcastle 1 - 2 Barcelona (18-09-2025)
26 Marseille 1 0 1 2 -1 LReal Madrid 2 - 1 Marseille (16-09-2025)
27 Villarreal 1 0 0 1 -1 LTottenham 1 - 0 Villarreal (16-09-2025)
28 Chelsea 1 0 1 3 -2 LBayern München 3 - 1 Chelsea (17-09-2025)
29 PSV Eindhoven 1 0 1 3 -2 LPSV Eindhoven 1 - 3 Union St. Gilloise (16-09-2025)
30 Ajax 1 0 0 2 -2 LAjax 0 - 2 Inter (17-09-2025)
31 Napoli 1 0 0 2 -2 LManchester City 2 - 0 Napoli (18-09-2025)
32 Athletic Club 1 0 0 2 -2 LAthletic Club 0 - 2 Arsenal (16-09-2025)
33 Monaco 1 0 1 4 -3 LClub Brugge KV 4 - 1 Monaco (18-09-2025)
34 Kairat Almaty 1 0 1 4 -3 LSporting CP 4 - 1 Kairat Almaty (18-09-2025)
35 Galatasaray 1 0 1 5 -4 LEintracht Frankfurt 5 - 1 Galatasaray (18-09-2025)
36 Atalanta 1 0 0 4 -4 LParis Saint Germain 4 - 0 Atalanta (17-09-2025)