Soccer-Sporting crush Midtjylland to advance in Europa League

Soccer Football - Europa League - Play-Off Second Leg - FC Midtjylland v Sporting CP - MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark - February 23, 2023 FC Midtjylland's Astrit Selmani in action with Sporting CP's Ricardo Esgaio Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix via REUTERS

(Reuters) - Sporting Lisbon knocked FC Midtjylland out of the Europa League after thrashing their hosts 4-0 in Denmark on Thursday to advance to the last 16 5-1 on aggregate.

After fighting back to draw 1-1 at home in the first leg of the playoff tie, Sporting dominated proceedings at Midtjylland and took the lead in the 21st minute with a close-range header by defender Sebastian Coates from a rebound off the crossbar.