Rasmus Højlund struck twice to give Napoli a 2-1 victory over Sporting in their Champions League clash at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Højlund, on loan from Manchester United, pounced in each half with Kevin De Bruyne the provider on both occasions as the former Premier League foes combined beautifully to dispatch spirited opponents.

A Luis Suárez penalty catapulted Sporting back into contention and they also had chances to snatch a point in an action-packed climax to the game.

The Portuguese club started brightly as Geovany Quenda and Iván Fresneda combined to send a sharp cross into the box, but the home defence cleared with Fotis Ioannidis lurking dangerously.

Napoli had lost only one of their previous 17 Champions League home games and they were largely in control against the side positioned second in Portugal's top flight.

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All that was missing was a goal but that arrived in the 36th minute after they had contained a sustained attack from Sporting, who were eventually smothered off the ball.

Napoli showed patience to clear their area and find De Bruyne, who dribbled past two players before releasing Højlund and the Denmark forward buried the chance.

Matteo Politano forced a diving save from Rui Silva as Napoli threatened to score a second but the skipper was less impressive as he skied a shot high over the crossbar soon after the interval.

It was then Sam Beukema's turn to send the ball into the stands as another promising attack met a disappointing end.

De Bruyne's pleas for a penalty after a suspected handball were rejected by referee Danny Makkelie, but the official awarded one to Sporting soon after when Politano tripped Maximiliano Araújo.

It was a rash challenge that saw Politano stick his leg out and Napoli were punished when Suárez drilled the spot-kick low and to the right, notching his club's 100th Champions League goal.

Sporting should have snatched the lead in the 75th minute when slick passing from one side of the area to the other presented Pedro Gonçalves with a great chance, but his shot was high.

The deadlock was broken soon after, however, as De Bruyne whipped in a long cross from the left that Højlund steered home with a brilliant header.

Suárez almost got on the end of a long pass from Gonçalo Inacio with the ball finding the arms of keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who then kept out Morten Hjulmand with a late save.