RB Leipzig overpowers Sporting Lisbon in UEFA Champions League

BERLIN, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Leipzig snapped a six-match losing streak in the UEFA Champions League after Yussuf Poulsen's goal helped them secure a 2-1 victory over the Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.

Leipzig broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when David Raum's square pass to the far post allowed Benjamin Sesko to tap in from close range.

Sporting couldn't threaten Leipzig's well-placed defense, while the hosts thought they had doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark when Raum's shot was ruled out for offside.

Leipzig continued to press after the break and Sporting still wasn't in the game, but that changed with the introduction of Viktor Gyokeres, who suddenly began to cause Leipzig's defensive problems.

The Swede netted a 75th-minute equalizer after Daniel Braganca's through ball found Gyokeres, whose left-footed shot found the top left-hand corner.

However, Sporting's celebrations were short-lived as Leipzig regained the lead three minutes later when Poulsen slotted the ball past goalkeeper Franco Israel.

Sporting made one last push in the closing stages, but it was too late to deny Leipzig their first Champions League win in seven attempts.

The result lifts Leipzig to 30th place in the standings, while Sporting Lisbon drops to 23rd.

"This was an important win for us. The boys fought brilliantly, and we proved that we can keep our composure in tight matches," remarked Leipzig head coach Marco Rose.

"Naturally, we are disappointed because we had control of the game in the second half. Viktor Gyokeres demonstrated his quality today, he brought energy to our play and got us back into the match," commented Sporting Lisbon manager Rui Borges. ■