By Neil Johnston BBC Sport

Manchester City's fightback failed to save them from a shock Europa League exit on away goals to Sporting Lisbon.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in the last-16 tie, City fell further behind from a Matias Fernandez free-kick.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel made it 3-0 on aggregate before Sergio Aguero reduced the deficit, and Mario Balotelli's penalty made it 2-2 on the night.

Aguero scored again and goalkeeper Joe Hart was denied a spectacular winner when his header was saved at the death.

It was a dramatic finale as Hart, who had stayed in the box after going up for a corner, fired a powerful header towards the corner of the goal which Rui Patricio, his opposite number, saved brilliantly.

Analysis

Image of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football Analyst

At the start the shape was wrong, the tactics were wrong and, for the first two-thirds of the game, they were poor. The worst thing is that you could see from the last 30 minutes how much better City were than Sporting. If they had played anything like that for the full 180 minutes of the tie, they would have gone through comfortably

Yet when the dust settles on an absorbing night's action, City's first-half performance, combined with the 1-0 defeat in Portugal, left them with too much to do.

City must now win the Premier League title if they are to avoid finishing the season without a trophy.

Having eliminated Portuguese league leaders and reigning Europa League holders Porto in the last round, Roberto Mancini's side would not have expected another Portuguese club to end their attempt to reach the final in Bucharest.

But the Italian will be alarmed at the way his expensively-assembled side started Thursday's second leg.

With no game this weekend to worry about, Mancini could afford to field his strongest side and, with goals required, he recalled Aguero to play alongside Balotelli.

Yet Mancini spent most of the first half venting his frustration as his players carried on from where they left off in Wales, where defeat at Swansea on Sunday cost them top spot in the Premier League.

The swagger and urgency that City have displayed during their five-month stay at the top of the table were non-existent in a sloppy first half in which they failed to seriously test Patricio.

Did you know?

Despite going out of the Europa League, City are now unbeaten in 17 home matches in Europe

City showed little urgency as they found themselves 2-0 behind before the break, Fernandez scoring from a stunning 20-yard free-kick in the 33rd minute before Van Wolfswinkel made it 2-0 when he tapped home following Marat Izmailov's 40th-minute cross.

Aguero launched City's comeback when he produced a fine 60th-minute finish from inside the area before the same player won a penalty after being felled by Renato Neto in the 72nd minute.

Balotelli made no mistake from the spot before Aguero remarkably put City ahead on the night after being left unmarked at the back post in the 82nd minute.

But City were unable to score a fourth - despite Hart's last-gasp attempt.

Lineup, Bookings (7) & Substitutions (6)

Manchester City

  • 25 Hart
  • 02 Richards
  • 13 Kolarov Booked
  • 15 Savic Booked
  • 28 K Toure
  • 08 Pizarro (Dzeko - 55' )
  • 11 Johnson (De Jong - 46' )
  • 21 Silva (Nasri - 66' )
  • 42 Y Toure Booked
  • 16 Aguero
  • 45 Balotelli Booked

Substitutes

  • 30 Pantilimon
  • 22 Clichy
  • 07 Milner
  • 19 Nasri
  • 34 De Jong
  • 10 Dzeko
  • 64 Roman

Sporting

  • 01 Rui Patricio
  • 03 Daniel Carrico Booked
  • 04 Anderson Polga Booked
  • 48 Insua
  • 93 Xandao
  • 08 Schaars
  • 10 Izmailov
  • 11 Diego Capel (Jeffren - 63' )
  • 14 Fernandez Booked (Neto - 63' )
  • 25 Bruno Pereirinha
  • 09 van Wolfswinkel (Carrillo - 68' )

Substitutes

  • 12 Marcelo
  • 06 Evaldo
  • 26 Andre Santos
  • 31 Neto
  • 17 Jeffren
  • 18 Carrillo
  • 33 Diego Rubio
Ref: Hagen
Att: 38,021

Match Stats

Shots

12 9

On target

5 5

Corners

11 6

Fouls

16 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +6:13 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +5:22

Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Joe Hart misses to the left of the goal.

90:00 +5:06

Corner from the left by-line taken by Aleksandar Kolarov, clearance by Alexandre Xandao.

90:00 +4:42

Aleksandar Kolarov has an effort at goal from 25 yards. Stijn Schaars gets a block in.

90:00 +2:25

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Suarez Jeffren by Stefan Savic. Direct free kick taken by Andre Carrillo.

90:00 +1:00

Nigel De Jong challenges Suarez Jeffren unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Andre Carrillo.

90:00 +1:00 Booking

Booking Correa Anderson Polga is cautioned.

90:00 +0:57

Free kick taken by Pedro Rui Patricio.

90:00 +0:57 Booking

Booking Mario Balotelli shown a yellow card.

90:00 +0:15

Alexandre Xandao fouled by Mario Balotelli, the ref awards a free kick.

89:36

Corner taken left-footed by Aleksandar Kolarov from the left by-line, clearance made by Suarez Jeffren.

89:10

Centre by Aleksandar Kolarov, Marques Bruno Pereirinha makes a clearance.

87:40

Aleksandar Kolarov produces a cross, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Mario Balotelli misses to the right of the goal. Gnegneri Toure Yaya takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Emiliano Insua.

86:04

The ball is delivered by Gnegneri Toure Yaya.

84:01

Edin Dzeko has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

81:49

Assist on the goal came from Edin Dzeko.

81:49 Goal scored

Goal - Sergio Aguero - Man City 3 - 2 Sp Lisbon Goal scored by Sergio Aguero from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Man City 3 (3)-(3) 2 Sporting.

81:47

Aleksandar Kolarov takes the outswinging corner,

81:01

Stijn Schaars takes the inswinging corner, Header from close in by Alexandre Xandao misses to the left of the goal.

78:26

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Correa Anderson Polga by Gnegneri Toure Yaya. Direct free kick taken by Pedro Rui Patricio.

74:55 Goal scored

Goal - Mario Balotelli - Man City 2 - 2 Sp Lisbon Mario Balotelli scores a placed penalty. Man City 2 (2)-(3) 2 Sporting.

73:52

Penalty awarded for an unfair challenge on Sergio Aguero by Renato Neto.

72:16

Emiliano Insua has an effort direct from the free kick.

72:16 Booking

Booking Stefan Savic is cautioned.

72:12

Stefan Savic concedes a free kick for a foul on Suarez Jeffren.

70:54

The official flags Edin Dzeko offside. Pedro Rui Patricio takes the indirect free kick.

69:44

Free kick awarded for a foul by Filipe Daniel Carrico on Sergio Aguero. Gnegneri Toure Yaya takes the direct free kick.

68:58

Corner taken by Aleksandar Kolarov from the left by-line.

67:19 Substitution

Substitution Andre Carrillo comes on in place of Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

66:52

Aleksandar Kolarov delivers the ball.

65:33 Substitution

Substitution Samir Nasri is brought on as a substitute for David Silva.

64:25

The assistant referee signals for offside against Mario Balotelli. Pedro Rui Patricio takes the indirect free kick.

62:47 Substitution

Substitution Matias Fernandez goes off and Renato Neto comes on.

62:47 Substitution

Substitution Suarez Jeffren is brought on as a substitute for Trinidad Diego Capel.

61:37

Aleksandar Kolarov has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

61:37 Booking

Booking Filipe Daniel Carrico is shown a yellow card.

61:33

Unfair challenge on Mario Balotelli by Filipe Daniel Carrico results in a free kick.

59:15

Assist on the goal came from Gnegneri Toure Yaya.

59:15 Goal scored

Goal - Sergio Aguero - Man City 1 - 2 Sp Lisbon A goal is scored by Sergio Aguero from inside the six-yard box to the top left corner of the goal. Man City 1 (1)-(3) 2 Sporting.

58:17

The referee gives a free kick against Mario Balotelli for handball. Free kick taken by Matias Fernandez.

56:53

Stijn Schaars takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Kolo Toure.

56:04

Short corner worked by Matias Fernandez.

54:34

The assistant referee signals for offside against Aleksandar Kolarov. Free kick taken by Pedro Rui Patricio.

54:18 Substitution

Substitution Edin Dzeko replaces David Pizarro.

53:40

Corner from the left by-line taken by Aleksandar Kolarov, Emiliano Insua manages to make a clearance.

53:06

Marat Izmailov gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sergio Aguero. Aleksandar Kolarov crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from left channel, clearance made by Alexandre Xandao.

50:48

Matias Fernandez gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Aleksandar Kolarov. Direct free kick taken by David Pizarro.

49:25

Corner from the left by-line taken by Matias Fernandez, clearance by Kolo Toure. Inswinging corner taken by Stijn Schaars.

47:36

The ball is sent over by Micah Richards, save by Pedro Rui Patricio.

46:22

Shot by Mario Balotelli went wide of the right-hand upright.

45:23

Unfair challenge on David Pizarro by Marat Izmailov results in a free kick. Free kick taken by David Pizarro.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Nigel De Jong comes on in place of Adam Johnson.

45:00 +1:15 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.

44:26

Foul by Stefan Savic on Pedro Rui Patricio, free kick awarded. Pedro Rui Patricio restarts play with the free kick.

43:31

Mario Balotelli fouled by Stijn Schaars, the ref awards a free kick. Adam Johnson crosses the ball in from the free kick, save made by Pedro Rui Patricio.

42:04

Marques Bruno Pereirinha fouled by David Silva, the ref awards a free kick. Marques Bruno Pereirinha takes the free kick.

39:58

Assist on the goal came from Marat Izmailov.

39:58 Goal scored

Goal - Ricky van Wolfswinkel - Man City 0 - 2 Sp Lisbon A goal is scored by Ricky van Wolfswinkel from close range to the top left corner of the goal. Man City 0 (0)-(3) 2 Sporting.

39:57

A cross is delivered by Marat Izmailov,

39:24

Foul by Gnegneri Toure Yaya on Matias Fernandez, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Correa Anderson Polga.

38:08

Foul by Matias Fernandez on Gnegneri Toure Yaya, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Gnegneri Toure Yaya.

35:20

Aleksandar Kolarov has an effort at goal from 25 yards. Blocked by Marques Bruno Pereirinha. Corner taken by Aleksandar Kolarov from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Emiliano Insua. Shot from just outside the box by Kolo Toure goes over the target.

34:23

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by David Pizarro played to the near post, clearance made by Marat Izmailov.

33:46

Corner taken by Adam Johnson from the right by-line, save made by Pedro Rui Patricio.

32:29 Goal scored

Goal - Matias Fernandez - Man City 0 - 1 Sp Lisbon Matias Fernandez hits the back of the net with a goal direct from the free kick from outside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Man City 0 (0)-(2) 1 Sporting.

31:27

Emiliano Insua fouled by Mario Balotelli, the ref awards a free kick.

30:54

Unfair challenge on Filipe Daniel Carrico by Sergio Aguero results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Stijn Schaars.

28:55

Free kick awarded for a foul by Sergio Aguero on Correa Anderson Polga. Pedro Rui Patricio takes the free kick.

28:38

Trinidad Diego Capel is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Micah Richards takes the free kick.

28:05

Free kick awarded for a foul by Marques Bruno Pereirinha on Mario Balotelli. Gnegneri Toure Yaya takes the direct free kick.

27:33

Matias Fernandez takes a shot. Blocked by Stefan Savic.

26:57

The ball is delivered by Aleksandar Kolarov.

25:52 Booking

Booking Matias Fernandez is cautioned.

25:15

Aleksandar Kolarov fouled by Marques Bruno Pereirinha, the ref awards a free kick. Aleksandar Kolarov takes the free kick.

24:09

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Trinidad Diego Capel by Micah Richards. Matias Fernandez has an effort direct from the free kick, save made by Joe Hart.

24:01

Marques Bruno Pereirinha delivers the ball, Micah Richards manages to make a clearance.

22:01

Aleksandar Kolarov delivers the ball.

20:56

Marques Bruno Pereirinha takes the direct free kick.

20:56 Booking

Booking The referee shows Aleksandar Kolarov a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

20:51

Aleksandar Kolarov gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marques Bruno Pereirinha.

19:43

Mario Balotelli takes a shot. Blocked by Correa Anderson Polga. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Adam Johnson from the right by-line, save made by Pedro Rui Patricio. Corner taken short by David Pizarro.

18:53

Unfair challenge on Gnegneri Toure Yaya by Matias Fernandez results in a free kick. Gnegneri Toure Yaya restarts play with the free kick.

12:32

Stijn Schaars restarts play with the free kick.

12:32 Booking

Booking The referee books Gnegneri Toure Yaya for unsporting behaviour.

12:30

Matias Fernandez fouled by Gnegneri Toure Yaya, the ref awards a free kick.

11:56

The ball is sent over by David Silva.

9:37

David Silva sends in a cross, Shot by Adam Johnson from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

8:53

Stijn Schaars fouled by Mario Balotelli, the ref awards a free kick. Emiliano Insua takes the free kick.

7:05

Matias Fernandez takes a shot. Blocked by Stefan Savic. Corner from the left by-line taken by Matias Fernandez, Alexandre Xandao has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

5:51

Aleksandar Kolarov challenges Ricky van Wolfswinkel unfairly and gives away a free kick. Filipe Daniel Carrico restarts play with the free kick.

5:14

Trinidad Diego Capel delivers the ball.

3:29

Marques Bruno Pereirinha delivers the ball.

1:00

The official flags Adam Johnson offside. Pedro Rui Patricio restarts play with the free kick.

0:15

Effort from just outside the area by Stijn Schaars goes over the target.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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