Ajax was out of the category in this group and had already secured a group win in the early evening.
Sporting and Dortmund were all too aware that it was a six-point match for them and for the Portuguese that was already half a stunt.
After defeats against Ajax (1-5) and in Dortmund (1-0), their European campaign seemed to be a zero operation, but the Portuguese recovered in the diptych against Besiktas and now put the icing on the cake.
Dortmund, nevertheless a regular customer in the knockout phase in recent years, must now concentrate on the Europa League.
Sporting will be camping in the Champions League for the first time since 2008 for a little longer.
