Following a 1-1 draw with Bologna on Wednesday, Sporting advanced to the Champions League playoffs thanks to a goal from Conrad Harder in the second half. In the 77th minute, Harder scored from close range after a feed from Joao Simoes, negating a headed goal by Tommaso Pobega in the 21st to save Sporting from extinction.

Due to a better goal differential than Club Brugge, who secured the last playoff berth, Sporting, who had lost three consecutive Champions League games since former coach Ruben Amorim left for Manchester United, ended 23rd in the standings. Portuguese champions Sporting will face Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund in the two-legged playoffs next month, with the winners progressing to the round of 16. Bologna, who were already eliminated, finished 28th.