Two clinical finishes by Bakoš, in the secondleg in the Czech Republic, levelled the score at 2-2 but a stoppage time penalty awarded to Sporting would see them home and dry. Bas Dost, who had netted his previous eight spot kicks this season, saw his effort saved by Rezník.
Extra-time favoured the home side, but Sporting full-back Rodrigo Battaglia popped up to head home the winner.
A tough task lies ahead as Sporting, who have never won in twelve previous visits to Spain, travel to Madrid for the first-leg of their Europa League quarter-final on 5 April. Atlético, currently second in La Liga behind Barcelona, have a team packed with internationals including former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, Saul Niguez and Koke (Spain) plus Frenchmen Lucas Hernández and Antoine Griezmann. Atlético keeper
Jan Oblak cut his teeth in Portugal where he won four out of five games against Sporting whilst with Leiria, Rio Ave and Benfica. Oblak even had a loan spell in the Algarve with SC Olhanense.
Sporting lost home (0-1) and away (0-2) to Barcelona in this season’s Champions League group stage which stretched their run of defeats by La Liga clubs to five and they have won just one of their last twelve matches against Spanish opponents.
Even so, Sporting manager Jorge Jesus gained much experience of the Europa League when, as manager of Benfica, he was runner-up to Chelsea (2012-13) and the following year the Eagles again reached the final but lost to Sevilla. The second-leg in Lisbon is on 12 April. On the home front, in the Primeira Liga, Sporting won 2-0 at home to Rio Ave whilst leaders Porto overcame local rivals Boavista by the same score-line and second place Benfica had a 2-0 victory at Feirense. FC Porto remain two points ahead of Benfica with Sporting in third place five points off top spot.