Sporting Lisbon recorded their first victory in Group G with a 4-2 triumph over Schalke 04 in a thrilling Champions League clash.
An own goal from Islam Slimani handed the lead to Schalke, but Naby Sarr's header and Jefferon's powerful strike gave the hosts the advantage.
Nani appeared to have secured the victory by tapping in from close range in the 72nd minute, before Schalke hit back through Dennis Aogo late on.
However, Sporting would have the final say in stoppage time as Slimani raced away to wrap up the win for the hosts.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.
Good evening everyone. Teams are running out of time to hand their Champions League campaigns a boost. It's a big night for everyone in Group G, and you can follow live text coverage of Sporting Lisbon vs. Schalke 04 right here.
Heading into tonight's game in the Portuguese capital, Chelsea are in charge at the top of Group G with a two-point advantage. However, there's still a lot to be decided. Schalke currently occupy second spot on five points, while Sporting are on just one point at the bottom of the group. Maribor, who host Chelsea tonight, are one point ahead of Sporting.
One thing is certain, if this game contains half as much drama as the reverse fixture last month, we are in for a big treat. It was Schalke who came out on top in Gelsenkirchen as they clinched a 4-3 victory thanks to a late penalty from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, but there was plenty of controversy surrounding the decision. Replays proved that Jonathan Silva had not handled inside the box, so a potentially valuable point was cruelly taken away from Sporting. Can they get revenge tonight?
Sporting boss Marco Silva knows exactly what kind of pressure his side are under tonight. Lose to Schalke, and their dream of reaching the next round is over. In truth, they've not played that poorly in the campaign, but the losses to Schalke and Chelsea have been damaging. Silva needs his players to turn a promising performance into points.
Before we take a look at the team news, a quick reminder that both sides are missing key players this evening. Mauricio is sitting out this one for Sporting after being sent off against the same opposition last month, while Schalke's influential attacking midfielder Julain Draxler is expected to miss the rest of the year with a thigh problem. Both will be sorely missed by their respective managers.
SPORTING: Rui Patricio, Jefferson, Oliveira, Sarr, Cedric, Carvalho, Joao Mario, Silva, Slimani, Carlos Mane, Nani
SUBSTITUTES: Boeck, Martins, Montero, Capel, Carrillo, Rosell, Silva
Perhaps the biggest surprise from Marco Silva is that he has elected against starting Andre Carrillo, who performed so impressively against Schalke a fortnight ago. Islam Slimani is likely to lead the line, with support arriving from Nani and Carlos Mane. Jefferson comes into the defence to replace the suspended Mauricio.
SCHALKE: Fahrmann, Aogo, Howedes, Fuchs, Uchida, Obasi, Hoger, Meyer, Neustadter, Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar
SUBSTITUTES: Wetklo, Kirchhoff, Boateng, Clemens, Sam, Ayhan, Barnetta
Many would have expected Kevin-Prince Boateng to take on a key role in the absence of Draxler, but the Ghana international has been left on the bench by Roberto Di Matteo. There's starts for Max Meyer and Marco Hoger in midfield, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting joins Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in attack.
Sporting's record against German teams in Europe will not give the home supporters much confidence ahead of tonight's game. They've faced German opposition 19 times in UEFA competitions, but have only managed to record one victory over a 44-year period. That win came against Hertha Berlin in the Europa League in 2009.
For Schalke, playing Portuguese teams over the years has not been much of a problem. In nine games, they've lost just once and recorded six victories. Will they improve that record tonight?
Ahead of tonight's game, Schalke defender Jan Kirchhoff admitted that he is expecting a big response from Sporting due to the way the match was decided in Gelsenkirchen.
"The controversy surrounding the late penalty which we scored to make it 4-3 will definitely help motivate the opposition, so we need to deal with that," Kirchhoff told the Schalke's official website. "We will be doing all we can to return to Germany with the three points. We know that we have enough quality to win in Lisbon."
PREDICTION: Hopefully we'll see more drama from these two sides, but without the controversial finish which dominated the headlines after the last game. Sporting have it all to do with three matches remaining, so we should expect a big performance from them tonight. I'm going for a -2 draw.
We're not far away from kickoff now. The players have already finished their pre-game warm-ups, and they'll be walking out of the tunnel very soon. Paolo Tagliavento and his Italian colleagues will officiate this game this evening.
KEY BATTLE: When Schalke win, Huntelaar is usually on the scoresheet. As the statistic earlier proved, the Dutch striker is lethal in Europe and Sporting will have to keep him quiet to be victorious tonight. French youngster Naby Sarr is a big favourite at Sporting, and how he copes with Huntelaar is surely going to be vital tonight.
Plenty of Schalke supporters have made the trip to Schalke for tonight's game, and they are making plenty of noise already. Sporting's fans will certainly be able to match their rivals when the first whistle is blown.
Here we go then. The Champions League anthem has been played, but the Sporting supporters tried their hardest to make sure the music could not be heard after that controversial defeat in Germany. It will be the hosts who get the game underway in Lisbon.
Sporting make a lively start to the game as Nani and Adrien Silva combine to win a corner, but Schalke's defence hold firm to clear the early danger.
Big let off for Fahrmann as he hits a clearance straight at the back of Slimani. Fortunately for the Schalke goalkeeper, the deflection does not take the ball into the back of the net.
Marco Silva will be very happy with what he's seen from his players early in the match. The hosts are looking the sharper of the two sides, and have been eager to win the ball as high up the pitch as possible. Promising start for the hosts.
Schalke create a good opening when Choupo-Moting slips through a great pass for Huntelaar, who is driven wide by Patricio. Huntelaar fails to spot Meyer, who would have surely slotted past the Sporting goalkeeper and the move eventually breaks down.
Mane, who hasn't seen much of the ball in the early stages, drifts out to the right wing to find space, but his cross is easily collected by Fahrmann. Sporting are very eager to be on the front foot and they're making it difficult for Schalke.
CHANCE! A long ball forward finds Mario, who beats the offside trap to retrieve possession in plenty of space. He delivers a brilliant cross into the box, but Nani can only strike a volley into the stand behind the goal.
Nani's half chance is the closest we've come to a goal, but it's Sporting who are certainly in control early on. Schalke are yet to find their passing rhythm, and the impressive pressing from the hosts is preventing Di Matteo's side from bringing Obasi and Choupo-Moting into the game.
YELLOW CARD! There's a stoppage when Meyer goes down after clashing with Silva. Sporting refused to kick the ball out of play for a few seconds, before finally allowing the midfielder to receive treatment. Replays prove there was no intention from Slva, but he did catch Meyer with an elbow. Huntelaar is booked for angrily confronting the referee.
SHOT! Good football from Sporting as Mane cuts in from the right before picking out Mario, whose effort off the outside of his boot is easily stopped by Fahrmann.
GOAL! SPORTING 0-1 SCHALKE (SLIMANI O.G.)
Naby Sarr gives away a needles free kick, and picks up a booking for the foul on Meyer. The Schalke midfielder delivers a brilliant ball into the box and Slimani inadvertently heads past Patricio under pressure from Patricio. Schalke break the deadlock. Can Sporting respond?
YELLOW CARD! The Italian referee gets the yellow card out of his pocket for the third time to book Christian Fuchs for a late tackle on Mane. Fortunately for Schalke, they manage to defend a free kick better than their rivals did moments earlier.
The pressure is all on Sporting now. They started the game very well, but they cannot afford to let this game slip away before the interval. Schalke have grown in confidence since taking the lead as Sarr makes a vital tackle to stop the run of Obasi.
Schalke enjoy an extended spell on top as Sporting are forced to clear a couple of corners. A third creates a chance for Neustadter at the back post, but he can only send a header over the crossbar.
GOAL! SPORTING 1-1 SCHALKE (SARR)
Another needless free kick produces a goal! Choupo-Moting's decision to trip Nani costs the visitors as Jefferson delivers a perfect cross for Sarr, who glances a header past Fahrmann from close range. We could be in for another dramatic contest between these two sides.
SAVE! It's Sporting who are back in charge now as Carvalho exchanges passes with Slimani, before seeing a low effort kept out by Fahrmann's feet. It's very open at the moment, with neither side settling for a tight battle in midfield.
Fuchs continues to live dangerously on a booking as he chops down Slimani on the right wing. Jefferson's dead-ball delivery is good again, but it's a Schalke head which gets to the ball first on this occasion. End to End stuff in Lisbon at the moment as Schalke win a corner at the other end.
PENLATY APPEAL! Schalke should probably have a penalty. A corner to the near post is flicked on by Obasi, but the ball is stopped by the hand of Jefferson, who had foolishly raised his arms in the box. The referee didn't spot the handball and Sporting survive. After the decision in Gelsenkirchen, maybe they deserve that.
Excellent football from Nani as he leads a counter-attack before picking out the run of Mario, whose decision to pull the ball back to the edge of the box results in disappointment. Slimani, who made a good run to the near post, is furious with his teammate.
CHANCE! This is quickly turning into a fantastic game. Obasi does well on the right to pick out Huntelaar, whose brilliant touch in the box sets up Meyer. However, the young midfielder can only fire over while under pressure from a couple of defenders.
SAVE! More impressive work from Nani as he cuts in from the right before forcing Fahrmann into a good save from his low effort. Slimani is quickest to the rebound, but his ball back into the six-yard box is cleared by Uchida.
SAVE! Fahrmann comes to Schalke's rescue again. Mane collects a cross-field ball on the edge of the box, before releasing Mario, who does well to beat the offside trap. However, Fahrmann is off his line quickly to block the shot.
YELLOW CARD! A fourth caution of the first half is given to Mario after he trips Choupo-Moting to prevent the lively forward from launching an attack for the visitors.
Huntelaar almost breaks into the box, but Sarr does well to stop the move before winning a free kick a few moments later. This game could go either way. Sporting are looking slightly more threatening, but Schalke have found space in dangerous areas on a number of occasions.
CHANCE! Nani is at the heart of another Sporting attack as he drifts across the box before chipping the ball to Mane, who is unable to direct his header at goal with Fahrmann out of position. It wasn't the easiest of chances, but he'll know he should have done better.
HALF TIME: SPORTING 1-1 SCHALKE
A rare uneventful minute brings an entertaining first half to a close as the two sides take a bit of a breather in stoppage time. Finally, we have time to catch our own breath after a frantic opening 45 minutes. Sporting were on top until a Slimani own goal gifted the lead to the visitors, but a header from Sarr has put the hosts back on level terms. In truth, either side could be ahead at this stage.
Di Matteo won't be telling his players to settle for a draw, but this result would certainly suit Schalke more. As mentioned before the game, the pressure is on Sporting to come out and dominate as they search for their first win. They've done exactly that for long spells, but Marco Silva needs his side to score the next goal.
BENCH WATCH: Apart from the mistakes at set-pieces, both managers will probably be pretty happy. However, they do have very good options in reserve if they need to change anything. Kevin-Prince Boateng may be introduced early into the second half due to Schalke's struggles to link up with Huntelaar on a regular basis.
UPDATE: In tonight's other Group G match, Maribor are currently putting up an impressive fight against Chelsea. Neither side have been unable to break the deadlock, but if results stay the same, Chelsea will remain in complete control of the group.
The players are back out on the pitch in Lisbon. No changes from either manager at the break. Schalke will get the game back underway.
It's another energetic start from Sporting as the press high up the pitch to quickly win possession. That's been a common theme of the match so far, and Schalke have struggled to deal with the home side's defensive tactics.
Schalke are beginning to find their passing rhythm, but they're being forced to play most of their football in their own half of the pitch. Very little to report in the early stages of the second half as both teams look to find top gear again.
Sporting waste a good chance to threaten on the break when Slimani gifts the ball to Howedes, who then wins a free kick to take the pressure off his side.
UPDATE: Agim Ibraimi has just found the back of the net to give Maribor a surprise 1-0 lead over Chelsea.
GOAL! SPORTING 2-1 SCHALKE (JEFFERSON)
What a strike! Sporting take the lead in brilliant style as Nani picks out Jefferson, who takes one touch on the edge of the box before picking out the bottom corner with a powerful effort to give Fahrmann no chance. It's a great goal, and Sporting probably deserve to be ahead.
Sporting are looking well worth their lead now as they pass the ball around with apparent ease. Marco Silva will know that Schalke have the attacking talent to hit back, so he won't want his side to settle for a 2-1 win from this position. The pressure is on the visitors now.
Mane is causing plenty of problems for Schalke on Sporting's right as Fuchs comes dangerously close to committing another foul which may have resulted in him being shown a second yellow card. The hosts are in complete control now, and a third goal looks likely.
Brilliant defending from Cedric to dispossess Choupo-Moting, but his progress is halted by the shoulder of Fuchs. Surprisingly, the referee tells the Sporting defender to get back to his feet, despite replays showing there was a lot of contact between the two players.
Schalke are finding it very difficult to retain possession in the second half. Sporting continue to dominate, but a few poor crosses have relieved the pressure on the visitors in the past couple of minutes. Another move comes to an end when Mario fires a speculative effort over the crossbar.
Meyer's clever footwork allows him to break into the box, and he wants a free kick after colliding with Sarr. Replays show the Sporting defender did put his hand on Meyer's back, but it would have been harsh on the hosts.
SUBSTITUTION: Di Matteo uses his first change to send on Boateng as a replacement for Meyer.
CHANCE! Schalke should be level. A cross to the near post is flicked on by Huntelaar. The ball breaks loose to Obasi in the six-yard box, but he decides to take a touch and Patricio dives off his line to make the save. That should have been fired home by the winger.
SUBSTITUTION: Andre Carrillo, who was Sporting's star player in Gelsenkirchen, is off the bench to replace Mane.
SUBSTITUTION: The changes keep on coming in Lisbon as Schalke bring Sidney Sam on for Obasi, who has been disappointing tonight. A free kick into the box almost creates a chance for Howedes, but no one is able to react to his header back across the six-yard box.
GOAL! SPORTING 3-1 SCHALKE (NANI)
It's surely all over in Lisbon. Carrillo does brilliantly to go past Fuchs, before sprinting into the box and delivering a cross to the back post, where Nani has the simple task of tapping home from close range. It's a brilliant goal from Sporting.
Schalke really have struggled in the second half, so it's no surprise to see Sporting in control of this game. They're still winning every 50/50 challenge in midfield as another promising move ends with Slimani unsuccessfully attempting to make contact with an overhead kick.
There's a stoppage in play to allow Fuchs to receive treatment after the defender collided with Slimani inside the box. In truth, I'm not sure he's going to enjoy facing Carrillo in the closing stages.
SUBSTITUTION: Jan Kirchhoff is on as a replacement for Fuchs, who is unable to carry on and limps off down the tunnel.
Carrillo hasn't been on the pitch for long, but he's making a big impact on the right wing as Kirchhoff becomes the latest player to see the pace of the winger up close. Schalke need to respond soon if they are to take anything from this game.
Schalke win a free kick over 30 yards from goal, but they decided against delivering a cross into the box. Huntelaar tries his luck with a powerful strike which lacks accuracy. Poor from the Dutch forward.
SUBSTITUTION: Marco Silva turns to his bench against as Oriol Rossell comes on for Mario, who has earned a rest following an impressive display.
Another spell of pressure from Sporting earns them a corner. Jefferson finds Carrillo at the near post, but he can only head wide of the target. Schalke then threaten at the other end as Choupo-Moting cuts into the box before poking the ball a couple of yards past the post.
SHOT! Sam hasn't seen much of the ball since coming on, but he does well to earn some space with a tricky run before firing a shot straight at the hands of Patricio from the edge of the box.
GOAL! SPORTING 3-2 SCHALKE (AOGO)
The drama just keeps on coming! Choupo-Moting does very well to lob a pass into the path of Aogo, who beats two defenders to the ball before striking a superb half-volley past Patricio from a tight angle. Will there be one more twist late on?
SUBSTITUTION: Nani refuses to be rushed by Fuchs as he welcomes the ovation from the home fans before being replaced by Diego Capel.
The fourth official confirms that there will be four minutes added on. Sporting are starting to look nervy in possession now after dominating for so long in the second half.
GOAL! SPORTING 4-2 SCHALKE (SLIMANI)
Game over. Sporting finish the match off as a desperate clearance turns into an excellent pass when Slimani sprints clear of the Schalke defence before slotting the ball past Fahrmann. It's a fine finish from a forward who has done a great job for the hosts this evening.
Di Matteo's face tells the story on the sideline. Sporting are almost there now on another dramatic evening in Group G.
FULL TIME: SPORTING 4-2 SCHALKE
These two sides have managed to repeat the trick by producing a stunning game of football which ends in a 4-2 victory for Sporting. Marco Silva's side are back in with a chance of reaching the next round after reaching four points. Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Maribor, which means it's all still up for grabs in Group G.
Thanks for joining me for another thrilling encounter between these teams. I hope you've enjoyed the coverage. Make sure you keep an eye out for analysis and reaction from all of the Champions League games. Goodnight.
