SOCCER: Sporting into Champions League last-16 with late win to knock out Bilbao

LISBON – Sporting Lisbon twice came from behind before Alisson Santos scored an added-time winner, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao and a place in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.

Sporting finished the group stage in seventh place with 16 points, while Bilbao ended in 29th place with eight points, leaving the Spanish side eliminated.

With the top eight teams advancing directly and the next 16 heading to the knockout round playoffs, Sporting needed a win to keep their hopes alive. Bilbao got off to a dream start when Oihan Sancet opened the scoring in the third minute.

Nine minutes later, Sporting equalized as Ousmane Diomande powered an unstoppable header from Maximiliano Araujo's corner. Bilbao regained the lead in the 28th minute when Gorka Guruzeta capitalized on a rebound, firing past the goalkeeper after his first shot hit the post.

Sporting refused to back down and leveled again through a brilliant team move, with Francisco Trincao slicing through the defense to slot the ball past Unai Simon.

Luis Suarez thought he had given Sporting the lead in the 72nd minute, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Later, a penalty awarded to Sporting in the 78th minute was overturned after a VAR review.

The drama continued deep into stoppage time when Santos followed up on a blocked shot from Suarez, rifling the ball into the net to secure Sporting’s place in the last 16.

-Reporting by Philip O’Connor; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters