Bayern Munich strolled to a comfortable 2-0 win against Roma to wrap up their section. But it was a frustrating night for Schalke who went down weakly in Portugal.
There was no seven-goal romp, but Bayern Munich have become the first German club to win their Champions League group outright with two matches to spare. Bayern still possess a 100% record after four matches.
Roma's defending was much more on the stuffy side for the first 38 minutes until Bayern's class shone through. David Alaba's wonderful overlap down the left flank created an irrepressible two-versus-one situation; the Austrian cutting the ball back for Franck Ribery who tucked home confidently from the edge of the box.
Considering the lead - and the need for just a point to progress - Bayern were in cruise control. The second goal came in the 63rd minute when Robert Lewandowski moved clear of his marker, then supplying a neat cross for Mario Götze who finished from close range.
Bayern's section, largely, remains up-for-grabs with Manchester City falling at the hands of CSKA Moscow in the other fixture. But all smiles for German football with Bayern and Borussia Dortmund securing early passages to the next stage with two matchdays left.
Sporting get payback
In Lisbon, meanwhile, Roberto di Matteo's Schalke crumbled against Sporting with the Portuguese giants running out 4-2 winners.
Schalke have much work to do to qualify
Despite going ahead in the 17th minute courtesy of an own goal, Sporting's attacking fluidity and speed of thought proved too much for the Royal Blues. French defender Navy Sarr leveled within eight minutes, heading in from a set-piece, which was frustrating for Schalke goalie Ralf Fährmann.
Fährmann, again, was the last guard in defense for Schalke, turning out the big performance in a big game and making a catalogue of saves and blocks. He was beaten from range for Sporting's second in the 52nd minute as Jefferson sweeped home a superbly judged left-footed strike from about 20 yards.
There was little doubt about the third. Carrillo steam-rollered down the right-wing, leaving Christian Fuchs in his wake before laying the ball across goal for former Manchester United winger Nani to convert.
Sporting passed up more opportunities - but Schalke would rally late in the game: Dennis Aogo latched on to a flick-on, firing into the top corner from a tight angle with three minutes left.
However, Sporting added a fourth on the counter in stoppage time with Islam Slimani making up for his earlier own goal during Sporting's defeat in Germany last time out.
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