golden palasyo Sporting CP 1-1 Bologna: Conrad Harder's Equaliser Secures Play-off Spot

Conrad Harder netted the vital goal. Conrad Harder netted the vital goal.

Sporting CP required an equaliser from Conrad Harder to earn the 1-1 draw with Bologna that saw them reach the Champions League's play-off round. (More Sports News)golden palasyo

Prior to coach Ruben Amorim's departure for Manchester United, Sporting had been flying in Europe, yet three straight defeats left them at risk ahead of this final round of matches.

And Sporting were heading out of the top 24 when they trailed to Tommaso Pobega's opener.

Visitors Bologna were playing only for pride, having already been eliminated, but led from the 21st minute until the 77th against a home side missing injured superstar Viktor Gyokeres.

Yet Harder then finally rescued Sporting with a close-range finish from Joao Simoes' cutback.

Sporting settled for the point that would take them through thereafter and will face either Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund in the next stage.

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Next round #UCL pic.twitter.com/DORQ61yXsc

— Sporting CP English (@SportingCP_en) January 29, 2025

Data debrief: Harder, better, faster, younger

The top-four teams qualify for the quarter-finals,panaloko gaming and with Argentina beating New Zealand 2-0 in the other Pool B fixture, India have now sealed their sport in the quarters.

India had earlier defeated New Zealand 3-2 in their opener before securing a 1-1 draw against Argentina.

Harder had the unenviable task of replacing Gyokeres, and Sporting predictably missed their talisman in what threatened to be a damaging defeat.

However, the hosts' one Opta-defined big chance fell the way of the 19-year-old, quickest to react from fellow teenager Simoes' cross, and he took it.

Harder, who turns 20 in Aprilgolden palasyo, became Sporting's second-youngest European Cup goalscorer and their youngest since Quim Silva netted against Partizan Belgrade in 1955.