Sporting Sneak into UCL Knockout Play-Off Round with 1-1 Draw

Conrad Harder's late goal secured a 1-1 draw for Sporting against Bologna, sending the Portuguese side into the UCL knockout play-off round. Get the latest UCL updates, match highlights, and results.

Conrad Harder's first-ever UEFA Champions League goal rescued Sporting with a 1-1 draw against Bologna, securing their place in the knockout play-off round and ending the Lions' three-match losing run in the competition.

Bologna, despite already being eliminated from this season's UCL, started the contest promisingly, with defender Sam Beukema rattling the crossbar after just four minutes with a powerful header from Lewis Ferguson's corner. Sporting took their time to grow into the match, but Conrad Harder was a source of inspiration, taking the direct route in search of an opener.

A late Conrad Harder equaliser sends Sporting CP through to the knockout phase play-offs 🟢#UCL pic.twitter.com/pGPHrBZuJ3

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

Harder burst past Goncalo Inacio and into Bologna's penalty area before firing straight at Franco Israel. However, Bologna continued to cause problems from set-pieces, and Sporting failed to deal with the threat posed by Sam Beukema. He flicked a Ferguson corner into the path of Tommaso Pobega, who diverted the ball into the net for his first UCL goal since September 2022.

The first period was end-to-end, with Sporting nearly leveling before halftime. Maximiliano Araujo went one-on-one with Federico Ravaglia, but the Bologna goalkeeper bravely lunged at the defender's feet, preventing him from firing a shot on goal. Despite this, Sporting's persistence eventually paid off, as Conrad Harder's late goal secured a crucial draw.

Tommaso Pobega nearly caught Sporting off guard again after the break, unleashing a powerful, swerving strike that forced Antonio Adan Israel into a spectacular full-stretch save.

Sporting, however, continued to struggle in finding a way through Bologna's resolute defense. Ivan Fresneda's audacious attempted lob from 30 yards on the hour-mark, which was parried to safety by Federico Ravaglia, summed up the Lions' growing desperation.

Just when Sporting seemed destined for elimination, Conrad Harder reacted quickest to Joao Simoes' cross, tucking the ball past Ravaglia to restore parity. This crucial strike not only helped Sporting avoid a fourth consecutive UCL loss, a feat they last experienced in 2016, but also secured their spot in the knockout play-off round as an unseeded side.

Despite having nothing to play for but pride, Bologna delivered a spirited display. Vincenzo Italiano's men concluded their UCL campaign unbeaten in three games, a respectable finish to their European adventure.