Manchester City practically secured qualification for the Champions League quarter-finals in spectacular fashion after a last-16, first-leg thrashing of Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

City put on quite a show, like they have for much of this season, to give themselves an unassailable lead in a fixture against a resurgent and regenerated Sporting who are currently Portuguese champions.

After a lengthy delay to determine if Kevin de Bruyne had strayed offside in the build-up, the in-form Riyad Mahrez scored the opener with a close-range finish given via VAR.

In a furious first half that devastated Sporting, Phil Foden added to his increasing goal tally for the season with a cool, calm finish.

With his side’s second and fourth goals, Bernardo Silva silenced the booing that accompanied every touch from him and City’s three other former Benfica players, the first a stunning half-volley following a corner.

After the break, there was no let-up, with Silva having a hat-trick headed goal ruled out for offside before setting up Raheem Sterling for a magnificent fifth goal.

The win equals the largest winning margin in an away match in the Champions League knockout phase and provides City their joint biggest European away victory, level with the 5-0 win at Steaua Bucharest in the play-off round of this competition in 2016-17.

Sporting will travel to The Etihad Stadium for the second leg on Wednesday, 16 March, a game billed to largely be a mere formality.

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