Aberdeen ousted as Sporting Lisbon enjoy a rare win against Scottish opposition

Aberdeen rued an early lapse in concentration as they fell to a 1-0 defeat in Lisbon.

Ryan Hedges of Aberdeen is challenged by Sporting Lisbon's Nuno Mendes (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Sporting Lisbon celebrated a rare win over Scottish opposition in European ties – only their second in eight contests stretching back to 1962.

This single-leg tie played on their home turf suited their needs. They progress to the play-off round next week. Aberdeen, meanwhile, have fallen short of the group section for the seventh time under Derek McInnes, who must continue to view this stage as his promised land.

There’s no doubt Aberdeen will view last night as a missed opportunity. Ryan Hedges spurned a glaring chance to secure extra-time with three minutes left after substitute Scott Wright’s lay-off. The Welshman has been in excellent form but he pulled his effort wide. His head-in-hands reaction told its own story. Aberdeen were never out of contention despite the loss of a goal so soon after kick-off from teenager Tiago Tomas.

Nobody can claim that negotiating a way past Sporting Lisbon on their own patch is a straightforward assignment. The hosts were, however, impacted by a raft of positive Covid 19 tests which meant they were missing several first-teamers as well as their manager, Ruben Amorim. Coach Emanuel Ferro took charge.

The Portuguese side had just about enough in reserve to edge past Aberdeen. Tiago Tomas only made his professional debut in July and his goal after seven minutes proved the difference. The same player should have made it 2-0 early in the second half but his poise deserted him and he headed over when unmarked in the box. The tie remained alive with possibilities for Aberdeen right until the end, which was an achievement in itself. Their refusal to fold following such an early setback was admirable.

McInnes swapped Dylan McGeough for Scott Wright with just over 20 minutes left as the Pittodrie side sought to secure extra-time at least. Ryan Edmondson and Connor McLennan also arrived to help supplement Aberdeen’s forward options.

McInnes had made three changes to the side beaten 3-0 by Motherwell on Sunday. One of them, Shay Logan, took his place on the right as a wingback. He was able to drop back to right back when required. Johnny Hayes was deployed in a similar role on the other side. It was an adaptable formation which reflected McInnes’ pre match observation that the visitors would have to strike a balance between defence and attack.

So much was expected from Wendel in a play-making sense. The midfielder is reportedly interesting Manchester United. While the Brazilian did indeed play his part in Sporting’s opening goal, it was not in the manner imagined.

He broke down an Aberdeen attack, dispossessing Ross McCrorie as the Aberdeen midfielder was seeking to move forward. The ball broke to Luciano Vietto, who supplied the touch and vision to play-in Tiago Tomas with a disguised through ball that caught out the Aberdeen defence.

The 18-year-old did well to dig the ball out from his feet and whip the ball high past Joe Lewis into the corner.

Tommie Hoban and Logan were marginally too slow to step out. Although Tiago Tomas glanced to his right in fear of seeing a raised assistant referee’s flag, he was well onside.

It was just the sort of start McInnes had hoped to avoid following the defeat to Motherwell in their last outing, when they were 2-0 down within the opening ten minutes. On this occasion they at least managed to ensure Sporting did not score a potentially tie-sealing second goal.

The Scots regrouped well and might even have equalised when an attempted cross from Dylan McGeouch almost curled into Antonio Adan’s top corner. The ‘keeper managed to tip the ball over.

Neither side created much in the way of clear-cut opportunities in the opening half, which was fine as far as Aberdeen were concerned. It meant they were still very much in the tie. Marley Watkins’ cross from the right was just too far in front of Hedges, which was one half-chance. Sporting upped the ante just prior to half-time and after winning their first corner of the night after 37 minutes.

Joe Lewis was called upon to save superbly from Jovane Cabral at close range after the ball fell to the Cape Verde international on the edge of the six-yard box.

Tiago Tomas should have scored again after 56 minutes after a superb cross from the right from Pedro Porro. His header was wayward, however. Hayes was also careless when he had a sight of goal midway through the second half. He blazed over when he had perhaps better options in the box. Aberdeen knew they would have at least one other chance. It fell to Hedges, whose swipe wide was not that of a natural goalscorer.

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