Gil Vicente’s debut campaign in Europe continues after a convincing 4-0 win against Riga in Barcelos.
The Portuguese club raced to a 3-0 half-time lead after an Ngonda Muzinga own goal alongside strikes to Kevin Villodres and Fran Navarro. Navarro put the tie to bed in the 76th minute when converted a penalty.
It was a tremendous atmosphere in Barcelos, a reminder of what a joyous and memorable occasion a football match can provide.
Nervous start
It was a shaky start for Gil Vicente with Carraça looking nervous at right-back and frequently gifting the visitors cheap possession. Riga had the first shot on target, Gabriel Ramos combining with Brazilian compatriot Douglas Aurélio who forced a save from Andrew.
Another turnover from the hosts saw Aurélio race clear and unleash a fierce strike that Andrew tipped over the bar.
Gil Vicente started to exert some pressure and were looking for openings down the left wing. Their first chance came after Pedro Tiba won a free kick in a dangerous position, Carraça stepping up and forcing a save from Nils Purins.
Gilistas get on top
The Gilistas maintained the pressure and rewarded with the opening goal in the 16th minute. Juan Manuel Boselli’s corner sailed towards the back post where Ngonda Muzinga clumsily turned it into his own net.
Lucas Cunha headed Boselli’s next corner wide, Gil Vicente taking a huge step towards the play-offs when they extended their lead in the 22nd minute. Kevin Villodres did it all himself afterwaltzing through some feeble defence, spotting a gap through a wall of bodies and finessing a shot that found the bottom corner.
Riga profited from a mix up between Vitor Carvalho and Kanya Fujimoto for their next chance, Rúben Fernandes doing well to deflect Marcelo Torres’ shot wide.
The visitors were keeping players forward, looking to get behind Gil Vicente’s defence and reaping some rewards. Aurélio raced onto Muzinga’s through ball and shot high and wide, the Brazilian striker with another chance in the 44th minute when he raced clear and fired against the post.
Their positive play was all undone on the stroke of half-time however, Muzinga’s evening going from bad to worse. He played a terrible back pass towards Purins, Fran Navarro getting to the ball first and poking it into the net.
Gil Vicente cruise to victory
Ivo Vieira overhauled his right edge at the break with Carraça and Boselli making way for Danilo Veiga and Boubacar Hanne.
The second half was never going to be an eventful affair with the contest virtually over. Mizuki Arai replaced Villodres in the 59th minute and the Japanese winger was immediately involved, picking up a loose pass and firing wide from distance.
Vitor Carvalho made way for Giorgi Aburjania in the 68th minute before Arai curled another effort wide.
If there was any doubt that Gil Vicente would advance to the play-offs, it was eliminated in the 76th minute when they made it 4-0.
Muzinga’s night went from worse to abysmal, nutmegged by Hanne and then sucked into a silly challenge with a penalty awarded. Navarro stepped up and made no mistake before making way for Ali Alipour.
Muzinga had a chance to score a late consolation, but he was denied by Andrew who kept a second consecutive clean sheet in front of a delighted home crowd.
What a shocker
I don't like to single players out for poor performances, so let's just say the Football Gods were not smiling on Ngonda Muzinga in Barcelos. He scored an own goal, was guilty for Gil Vicente's second goal after a poor hospital pass, and was then nutmegged in his own box before giving away a penalty.
To say it was a game to forget for the Congolose left-back would be the understatement of the year. I sincerely hope he puts the performance behind him as soon as possible gets to a point where he can look back on the game with some amusement.
Awesome atmosphere
The feel good factor in Barcelos was on show throughout the match, helped in large part by the performance of the hosts who established a commanding 3-0 half time lead. It was the polar opposite to the violence and hostility that was evident on and off the pitch in Guimarães the day before.
There were approximately 10 Riga supporters in the stadium, one with a drum to provide the rhythm for non stop chants throughout the match long after their team had no chance in the tie. They even joined in the Mexican Wave in the final 10 minutes which deservedly gained applause from the Gil Vicente faithful.
The word 'supporter' gets used a lot in football, but the Riga supporters that travelled to Portugal are exactly that, a prime example of how to support your team and represent your club in a foreign country. It was an absolute pleasure to witness live, a game and an experience I certainly won't forget.
What's next?
Ivo Vieira's side take on AZ in the Europa Conference League play-offs with the first leg to be played in Alkmaar next week. It's going to be a tough challenge, but if Gil Vicente can keep it tight in the Netherlands, anything can happen in Barcelos in two weeks time.
By Matthew Marshall at Estádio Cidade de Barcelos
Line Up
Gil Vicente (4-3-3): Andrew - Carraça (Danilo Veiga 46’), Lucas Cunha, Rúben Fernandes, Henrique Gomes - Pedro Tiba, Vitor Carvalho (Giorgi Aburjania 68’), Kanya Fujimoto - Juan Manuel Boselli (Boubacar Hanne 46’), Fran Navarro (Ali Alipour 77’), Kevin Villodres (Mizuki Arai 59’)
Unused substitutes: Brian Araújo, Tomás Araújo, Manuel Lopes, Emmanuel Hackman, Matheus Bueno, Andre Simões, Élder Santana
Head Coach: Ivo Vieira
Goals
[1-0] – Ngonda Muzinga OG 17'
[2-0] – Kevin Villodres 22’
[3-0] – Fran Navarro 45'+1’
[4-0] – Fran Navarro 76’ P
