Tiago Silva tried to swim against Gyokeres, but it was Telmo Arcanjo who lit the way to three goals for Vitória SC in the second half. Francisco Trincão, in the last moments, snatched victory from Vitória SC.
It was a match that was not for the faint of heart at the D. Afonso Henriques Stadium. The clash between Vitória SC and Sporting CP, referring to the 17th day of the Portuguese Primeira Liga, ended in an incredible 4-4 draw. Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick that put the Conquistadors in a difficult situation, but Tiago Silva, Kaio César, João Mendes and Dieu Michel orchestrated a return to within a breath of brilliance, thanks to Trincão’s late goal.
The start of the match was not kind to the Conquistadors, who saw Sporting take the lead in the second minute. Geovany Quenda served Viktor Gyokeres with a through ball. Face to face with Óscar Rivas, the Swede took his chance and managed to beat the Vitória defender, sending the ball into the back of Bruno Varela’s net.
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However, the home side’s response came quickly, with Tiago Silva leveling the score in the seventh minute by converting a direct free-kick with finesse.
It was also from the feet of Tiago Silva that the second goal for Sporting was born. In the 14th minute, the Vitória SC midfielder laid the ball off to Geovany Quenda, who again assisted Gyokeres’ entry into the Vitória penalty area, and once again the Swede celebrated by finding the back of the goal against Bruno Varela.
Sporting’s new goal sparked renewed energy from the Vitória SC side, with Gustavo Silva testing Franco Israel’s goal but failing to score. The same Gustavo Silva would later claim a penalty after a challenge from St. Juste, but the referee let the play continue.
The movement of the clock cooled the match, to the point that Gustavo Silva, after a run, had to leave the field on a stretcher just before half-time.
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While Gyokeres’ two first-half goals did little to help Vitória’s mission, it is also fair to say that the Nordique’s hat-trick only made the Conquistadors’ situation worse. In a great offensive action from Sporting, Maxi Araújo delivered an assist for Morita’s header, leaving Gyokeres completely unmarked to slip the ball into the net at 1-3.
However, Sporting’s goal reignited the action for the home side, and in the 65th minute, Alberto Costa’s cross almost led to an own goal from Morten Hjulmand. However, Vitória SC’s second goal came entering the final 20 minutes, Telmo Arcanjo assisting Kaio César’s powerful shot to make it 2-3.
Not satisfied with just one goal, Kaio César tried to add to the score, but Franco Israel stopped him again.
However, the real celebration for Vitória came towards the end of the match. Following a cross from Arcanjo, Dieu Michel hit the crossbar. In the follow-up, João Mendes ignited the festivities at D. Afonso Henriques.
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However, the real celebration would happen two minutes later. With just six minutes remaining in the 90 minutes, Telmo Arcanjo once again lit up the path to goal for the Conquistadors, providing a pinpoint header for Dieu Michel to score into the lions’ net.
It looked like a great and impressive comeback was being scripted at the D. Afonso Henriques Stadium, but Rui Borges’ new team would manage to equalize at 4-4 in a true last minute effort, thanks to a superb curling shot from Francisco Trincão in the final moments of the match.
With this result, Daniel Sousa’s men have now accumulated 25 points, remaining in 6th place in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, three points behind 5th place, occupied by SC Braga. Meanwhile, Sporting CP continues to lead the championship with 41 points. However, depending on the outcome of the match between FC Porto and Nacional (postponed due to fog), the leadership could change hands.
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