Adrien Silva scored the only goal of the game in the 18th minute as Sporting Lisbon maintained their fine start to UEFA Europa League Group D at the expense of hapless Hertha Berlin.

Silva drilled home a low left-foot shot in a crowded box to help Sporting erase the memory of their last meeting with Bundesliga opposition, a 12-1 aggregate hammering by Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League.

However, his night was marred at the end of the game when he was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card.

The result was a blow for Hertha caretaker boss Karsten Heine, who took over on Monday after Lucien Favre was sacked following a dismal run of defeats culminating in last weekend's 5-1 loss at Hoffenheim.

But Hertha may count themselves unfortunate to leave Lisbon with nothing after a game in which they fashioned more clear chances without managing to convert them into goals.

Gustavo Ramos saw an early shot punched clear by home keeper Pedro Rui Patricio but for the home side Felipe Caicedo and Liedson both brought saves from Hertha goalkeeper Sasha Burchert.

After Silva's strike Hertha responded gamely with Artur Wichniarek and Rafael both firing over the bar and a brilliant effort by Gojko Kacar which also just drifted too high.

Nemanja Pejcinovic shot over at the start of the second half as Hertha continued to press for an equaliser, but Burchert had to be on top form to save a strong Simon Vukcevic effort on 49.

The impressive Kacar came close again for the visitors in the 53rd minute when he shot over from 30 yards, while Cesar shot wide and Rafael brought a superb save out of Patricio in the Sporting goal.

Vukcevic tested Burchert again in the 64th minute but as the Germans continued to press for an equaliser Maximilian Nicu saw an 87th-minute shot blocked and Rafael served up an easy save for Patricio.

However, matchwinner Silva was needlessly sent off in injury-time by Belgian referee Serge Gumienny for a second bookable offence, having picked up a yellow card in the 32nd minute for fouling Kacar.