Dortmund take big advantage against Sporting in Champions League knockout stage

After a goalless first half in which Sporting dominated, Dortmund took control in the second.

Serhou Guirassy broke the deadlock in the 60th minute, rising high to head in a looping cross from Julian Brandt. The goal cemented Guirassy's place as the outright top scorer in the competition with 10 goals.

Dortmund doubled their lead when Guirassy turned provider, whipping in a cross for Pascal Gross to finish. Karim Adeyemi sealed the win with a well-executed counter-attack, latching onto another assist from Brandt.

"That (win) was important," Pascal Gross told Amazon Prime.

"You could tell in the first half that we weren't brimming with confidence, but after the break, we played a very decent game."

Sporting had their chances but failed to convert. Francisco Trincao's long-range effort was kept out by Gregor Kobel, while Maxi Araújo struck the crossbar.

Conrad Harder also saw his powerful shot denied by Kobel. Their top scorer, Viktor Gyokeres, started on the bench due to a thigh injury and was introduced in the second half, but Nico Schlotterbeck prevented him from making an impact.

Dortmund celebrated their first clean sheet in 14 matches and their first win under new coach Niko Kovac.

Sporting, meanwhile, struggled after conceding and face a tough challenge in the return leg on 19 February in Dortmund.