Leverkusen beat Sporting CP 3-1 to advance

Karim Bellarabi's brace moved Bayer Leverkusen 3-1, 4-1 on aggregate, past Sporting Clube de Portugal at the second-leg of UEFA Europa League's last 32 on Thursday.

Both sides started offensively minded into the game. Yet, Leverkusen's custodian Bernd Leno had little to do while Sporting's goalkeeper Rui Patricio had his hands full, denying Bellarabi, Hakan Calhanoglu, Wendell and Stefan Kiessling in the opening period.

Roger Schmidt's men turned their chances into a tangible reward with 30 minutes into the encounter as Bellarabi's low-shot nutmegged Patricio from sharp angle to make it 1-0 on the scoreboards.

It was, however, a short-lived joy for the hosts as the visitors from Portugal responded only eight minutes later through Joao Mario, who capitalized on a rebound, following a parry by Leno, to slot in the 1-1 equalizer at the far post.

Both teams needed some time to gain a foothold into the second half. Nevertheless, things changed in the 65th minute as Bellarabi's unstoppable long-range hammer from 18 meters ensured the hosts the 2-1 lead out of the blue.

Leverkusen gained momentum and put the game beyond doubt in the dying minutes of the game when Turkish international Calhanoglu volleyed home Jonathan Tah's long ball to mark the final 3-1 score into the roof of the net.

"It was a game on eye level with Sporting. We have won two contested games against a top team and progressed deservedly," Schmidt said.

The draw of UEFA Europa League's round of the last 16 takes place in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday. Endit