Torres scores GOAL shocker, Man United thrashed and more Anglo-Portuguese classics

Man City visit Lisbon in talkSPORT's live and exclusive Europa League clash this evening, so to whet your appetite we've trawled through the history books to bring you six enthralling encounters between English and Portuguese sides in Europe, including this Man United mauling at the hands of City's opponents tonight, Sporting Lisbon...

SPORTING LISBON 5-0 MAN UNITED

CUP WINNERS' CUP QUARTER FINAL, 1963/64

18 MARCH 1964

Sporting enjoyed home comforts in style, achieving the absurdly improbable by overturning a 4-1 deficit in emphatic fashion. Denis Law had notched a hat-trick for United at Old Trafford, but this time it was Osvaldo Da Silva's turn, bagging two within 12 minutes and adding his third (Sporting's fifth) before the hour mark. Stunned and humiliated, United failed to reply while Sporting went on to claim their first ever European trophy.

LIVERPOOL 4-1 BENFICA

EUROPA LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL, 2009/10

8 APRIL 2008

Chelsea's £50m flop, Fernando Torres, has endured more than 24 painful hours without a goal for the Blues this season, but in much happier times, El Nino grabbed a brace within 24 minutes in this stunning Europa League victory. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Dirk Kuyt and Lucas Leiva ensured the tables turned for the Reds before half-time, allowing Torres to work his second-half magic. Oscar Cardozo added to the spot-kick brace he enjoyed in Lisbon with a consolation strike, as a Benfica side featuring Chelsea pair David Luiz and Ramires bowed out against worthy winners. Here is Mr Luiz gifting Torres his second goal in trademark fashion.

Arsenal 6-0 BRAGA

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE, 2010/11

15 SEPTEMBER 2010

Remarkably, Arsenal crashed to defeat in Braga just over two months after their Emirates masterclass, although on this occasion, a Portuguese side who pride themselves on emulating Arsene Wenger's footballing philosophy were taught a harsh lesson by their French master. Youngster Carlos Vela and Cesc Fabregas (sob, sob, where's he gone?) scored twice while incredibly, there was even time for Andrey Arshavin and, wait for this one, Marouane Chamakh to get on the scoresheet! Now there's a collector's piece.

MAN CITY 4-0 PORTO

EUROPA LEAGUE LAST 16, 2011/12

22 FEBRUARY 2012

The tricky first leg trip to Porto started badly for City, who trailed at half-time, yet salvaged a slender advantage courtesy of Sergio Aguero's late strike. It mattered little one week later, when Mancini's free-flowing stars were at their imperious best in front of a jubilant, Poznan-crazed crowd. Again, Sergio Aguero sparkled, scoring one and assisting another. Edin Dzeko and David Silva were also on target while Aguero's late replacement, David Pizarro, a loan signing from Roma, sealed it with his first Man City goal.

SPORTING LISBON 4-1 Newcastle

UEFA CUP QUARTER FINAL, 2004/05

14 APRIL 2005

Under former Benfica manager, Graeme Souness, Newcastle touched down in sunny Lisbon hoping to build on a slender 1-0 home advantage secured at St James' Park. The Magpies must have felt it was their night when Kieron Dyer (remember him?) slotted home after 20 minutes to put the tie beyond Sporting. Or so it seemed. As was often the case under Souness, defensive frailties and impotency in front of goal proved their ultimate undoing. Four goals including two unmarked headers from point-blank range sent Newcastle packing and booked Sporting a place in the competition's semi-finals.

MAN UNITED 1-1 PORTO

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL, 2003/04

9 MARCH 2004

By his own admission, this quarter-final second leg was the making of Jose Mourinho. Trailing United 1-0 and heading out on the away goal rule, Porto won a late free-kick which Tim Howard could only parry into Costinha's path. The midfielder calmly dispatched Porto's equaliser as Moruinho infamously darted down United's touchline to celebrate with his players. Porto went on to become champions of Europe and the rest is history.  

You can listen to live and exclusive commentary of Sporting Lisbon v Man City with Andy Gray and Sam Matterface from 6pm on talkSPORT 1089/1053 AM