Sporting kept his struggle for the title alive with a dramatic victory over Gil Vicente (2-1) at the reception in Alvalade. The team of Rui Borges, who was forced to win so as not to lose his trail to Benfica, managed to return the marker in the last breath of the game. After a difficult first part, where Felix Correia scored for visitors, Maxi Araújo equaled at 81 minutes. But it was Eduardo Quaresma, already 90+2 ‘, who sealed the victory.
Sporting left for the reception to Gil Vicente three points of the rival and championship leader, Benfica, who had won the road to Estoril (1-2). Also, there was a certainty and a doubt (at least for those outside). If Rui Borges was required to change on the defensive axis, due to the punishment of Diomande-St. Juste entered the place-there was a great doubt around the composition of the midfield: Hjulmand was spout And it was eventually away from eleven, giving the place to Morita.
The Leonino coach has gone the idea of being thinking about next weekend’s game, but there was still a game before. And what a game …
St. Juste
The responsibility was (almost) all on Sporting’s side. With the championship approaching its end, the lions did not want to lose the trail of Benfica, the week before the meeting between the two great Lisbon in Luz, and did not give up this idea, at least in the first few minutes.
Francisco Trincão created two excellent opportunities in the first quarter of play, but unable to truly scare the goalkeeper Andrew, highlighting some difficulties in the definition in the last third in the face of a very well organized block. Gyökeres, so often the team’s allowance, had a special marking and had no room to shine. Merit for the Gilist defensive line.
On the other side of the field, Gil Vicente, oriented by César Peixoto, bet on the transitions and it was in one of those moments that managed to freeze Alvalade, much due to a disappointment of one of the news in eleven Rui Borges: St. Juste.
The Dutch central, placed in the center of the three -central line, revealed some difficulties in reading the game and made a gross mistake that resulted in a great penalty in favor of Gil Vicente.
On 23 minutes, the Leonino defense ratified Mutombo and the referee, after reviewing the images in the video referee (VAR), had no doubt to mark the penalty, which would be converted by Felix Correia.
Gilist
The first part had been desolating to the Leonine fans. Sporting won in possession and the number of shots, but ended the first half with zero shots framed with the opposite goal. It took more, much more, for the lions to find the way Benfica had fled in the lead.
Unable to contradict Gil Vicente’s good organization, Rui Borges sought solutions on the bench shortly after the time of play and launched a settlement, Harder and … Hjulmand. After all, the Danish midfielder was necessary (also) for this game. However, it was very difficult for Rui Borges’s men to find space. And the clock was the worst enemy.
Sporting was owner and lord of the ball and was trying to get in all the ways, always with great difficulty, until he managed to pierce through Maxi Araújo, who appeared alone, 81 minutes, to shot at first and 1-1. This was followed by a golden opportunity to turn the game, with a Trincão ball to the post on 87 minutes, and a last moment of deep inspiration.
At 90+2 minutes, Eduardo Quaresma, who climbed the attack in the final minutes, hit a powerful long-range shot, with no chance for Gil Vicente’s goalkeeper. Alvalade stadium exploded with joy, not only for the beauty of the goal, but also for the importance it had for Sporting, which thus kept its green and white hope in the fight for the title.
FlashScore Game Man: Eduardo Quaresma (Sporting)
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