Sporting CP needed patience before breaking down resilient debutants FC Kairat, eventually sealing a 4-1 victory at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Teenage goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza was the early star, saving Morten Hjulmand’s penalty and producing a string of stops to frustrate the hosts.
Francisco Trincao finally broke through before half-time, curling home despite Kalmurza’s efforts.
Kairat threatened after the restart through Dastan Satpayev, but Sporting killed the contest with a ruthless three-minute blitz. Trincao added his second, Alisson Santos scored his first for the club, and Geovany Quenda capped a dazzling run with a composed finish.
Substitute Edmilson struck a late consolation to give Kairat their first-ever Champions League goal, but the Portuguese side had already stamped their authority on the night.
