Luis Suarez struck twice, including a 90th-minute header, as Sporting CP beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the Champions League. The comeback left PSG’s push for a top-eight finish damaged, while Sporting rose
to sixth. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s excellent goal had briefly appeared to rescue the reigning champions.
The scoreline contrasted sharply with the pattern of play. PSG recorded 28 shots and 74.6% possession yet finished with defeat. Their efforts produced 1.25 expected goals and six shots on target. Sporting, meanwhile, extended a strong home run in Europe, earning a fourth straight Champions League victory at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Sporting’s win also highlighted Suarez’s growing influence in this campaign. The Colombian forward has now scored four goals across seven Champions League appearances this season. Sporting made those contributions count, absorbing long spells without the ball before taking late chances. PSG, guided by Luis Enrique, left with questions rather than points after controlling long periods.
PSG began with clear intent and quickly pushed Sporting back. Vitinha drew the first save from Rui Silva with an early effort from distance. Nuno Mendes then tested Silva with a low strike, before Senny Mayulu’s attempt was also blocked by the goalkeeper as pressure mounted on the hosts’ defence.
The visitors thought that pressure told just after the half-hour. Fabian Ruiz met a cross with a free header, beating the stranded Silva. PSG celebrations ended when VAR advised a review, which spotted a foul by Mayulu during the build-up, and the referee disallowed the goal after checking the monitor.
That frustration repeated ten minutes later. Warren Zaire-Emery’s cross was not cleared, allowing Mendes to tap in from close range. However, officials ruled that Ousmane Dembele had fouled Silva moments earlier, so the goal was again cancelled. Sporting created opportunities either side of half-time but could not convert them.
PSG had a third finish ruled out after the interval. Desire Doue swung in a cross that Dembele nodded home, yet the winger had moved too early and was flagged offside. Sporting then stunned the champions on 74 minutes. Geny Catamo’s shot deflected off Georgios Vagiannidis and dropped kindly for Suarez, who finished calmly.
𝘼 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 Let's go Lions!! Luis Surez (2) 2-1 // #SCPPSG #UCL pic.twitter.com/tTTQeLs77TSporting CP English (@SportingCP_en) January 20, 2026
PSG responded quickly through Kvaratskhelia. With 79 minutes played, Kvaratskhelia moved in from the left flank, shaped a shot, and curled a precise strike into the far top corner. The goal matched PSG’s dominance and seemed likely to protect at least a point after two earlier disallowed efforts.
Sporting refused to settle for a draw and snatched victory on 90 minutes. Trincao’s shot was pushed out by Silva, but Suarez reacted first to nod in the rebound. Estadio Jose Alvalade erupted as Sporting secured all three points, while PSG’s hopes of securing automatic progression suffered another setback.
Match statistics underlined PSG’s control but highlighted Sporting’s greater efficiency in key moments.
| Team | Goals | Shots | Shots on Target | Possession (%) | Expected Goals (xG) | Current Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sporting CP | 2 | Fewer than PSG | Fewer than 6 | 25.4 | Lower than PSG | 6th |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 1 | 28 | 6 | 74.6 | 1.25 | Outside top eight |
This defeat was PSG’s first Champions League loss against a club from outside Europe’s top five leagues since a 1-2 reverse against Benfica in December 2013. That 32-match unbeaten sequence ended in Lisbon. Sporting’s fourth consecutive home win, powered by Suarez’s double, strengthened their qualification chances and tightened the group picture for the remaining fixtures.
