Napoli Secures Opening Champions League Victory Powered by Rasmus Hojlund's Double
On-loan Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund scored twice as Napoli defeated Sporting Lisbon to secure their first UEFA Champions League win of the campaign.
Both of Hojlund's goals came with assists from ex-City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, whereas Colombian forward Luis Suarez scored from a penalty for Portuguese side Sporting.
The decisive goal came in the 79th minute, with this positive result after the team's defeat at Man City in their opening match.
The Dane's Path to Napoli
The forward finalized a season-long loan move to the reigning Serie A champions on transfer deadline day at the start of the month having not featured in United's first four matches of the new season.
The 22-year-old netted 26 times in 95 games during his time at Old Trafford following his big-money transfer from Atalanta in August 2023.
He scored just four times in the English top flight in 2024-25 but has now scored three times in five games for the Italian side, who have an obligation to buy the Denmark international for ยฃ38m at the end of the season subject to certain clauses, including Champions League qualification.
Game Highlights
Hojlund showed pace and strength for his opening strike when he received De Bruyne's through ball before calmly slotting home past keeper Silva.
A foul by Politano on Araujo to give away a second-half penalty, which Suarez converted to level the scores, but Hojlund got the winner with a brave header following a delivery from De Bruyne from the left touchline.
Sporting now have one win and one defeat of their first two group games following an opening with a 4-1 victory over Kazakh side Kairat.
City of old, to United of old! - The duo combine for the first goal
