Rio Ave earned a 3-3 draw against Sporting Clube de Portugal in an exciting Primeira Liga clash at Estádio dos Arcos.
The hosts took the lead in the 3rd minute when Úmaro Embaló stepped inside Geny Catamo and shot past Adán. Sporting equalised six minutes later when Morten Hjulmand volleyed into the bottom corner.
Both teams missed chances to take the lead before Amine Oudrhiri’s howler on the stroke of half-time saw Viktor Gyökeres pounce and score yet again.
The seesawing contest continued into added time when Nuno Santos fouled Costinha in the box, Abdul-Aziz Yakubu converting the penalty to make it 2-2 at the break.
The second half was a slow burner until the 67th minute when Adán took out Yakubu, the striker showing no hesitation in taking the penalty and sending the Spaniard the wrong way once again.
Sporting drew level six minutes later thanks to Sebastián Coates, the defender turned forward heading Hidemasa Morita’s cross home from close range.
Renato Pantalon was sent off in added time but the Lions were unable to find a late winner in Vila do Conde, Rúben Amorim’s side sitting two points behind Benfica with a game in hand.
Fast start
Sporting Clube de Portugal started confidently in Vila do Cone but found themselves 1-0 down in the 3rd minute. Fábio Ronaldo did well to break clear and release Úmaro Embaló, the winger stepping inside Geny Catamo and sending an unstoppable shot past Adán.
The rain started streaming down but it didn’t deter the Lions who restored parity six minutes later. Hidemasa Morita’s cross was cleared to Morten Hjulmand who fired a grass cutting volley into the bottom corner.
Chances missed
Sporting stayed on the front foot with Viktor Gyökeres and Francisco Trincão seeing shots saved by Jhonatan. The Brazilian was tested by Gyökeres again after the striker played neat 1-2 with Pote, Miguel Nóbrega making a crucial block to thwart Trincão which saw the winger require treatment.
Rio Ave remained in the contest and spurned two great chances to regain the lead. Adán’s fumble resulted in Embaló blazing over the bar, Marios Vrousai then combining with Ronaldo who hit the post.
More goals
Their positive momentum was halted in the 44th minute after a moment of madness from Amine Oudrhiri. There was nothing doing as the midfielder appeared to get psyched out by Gyökeres, a horror back pass pounced on by the Swede who accepted the gift and netted his 17th Primeira Liga goal of the season.
Trincão couldn’t recover and was replaced by Marcus Edwards.
Sporting failed to take the advantage into half-time however, conceding a penalty in added time. Nuno Santos’ clumsy effort to stop Costinha saw referee André Narciso point to the spot, Abdul-Aziz Yakubu stepping up and sending Adán the wrong way.
Slow burner
Rúben Amorim brought on Eduardo Quaresma for Gonçalo Inácio at the break as the chances dried up. Gyökeres’ cross was cleared before Santos made way for Matheus Reis.
Luís Freire went to his bench in the 64th minute when Adrien Silva replaced João Graça.
Bang bang
Three minutes later Rio Ave took a 3-2 advantage. Marios Vrousai released Yakubu, Adán coming off his line and taking out the striker who put the ball on the spot and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way once again.
Sporting drew level in the 73rd minute with a move we have seen many times before. Sebastián Coates remained up front, outmuscling Vrousai and heading Hidemasa Morita’s cross past Jhonatan.
There was no grandstand finish, Edwards and Pote missing difficult chances with the Lions unable to capitalise after Renato Pantalon received a second yellow card in added time.
Analysis
Rio Ave’s resurgence continues with an important point against the title chasers. Unbeaten in their last seven at Estádio dos Arcos, the club did well in the winter transfer window by signing Úmaro Embaló, João Teixeira and Adrien Silva.
Abdul-Aziz Yakubu’s return from loan in the Chinese Super League came at a great time, the Ghanaian striker back up to speed with four goals in his last three appearances alongside a saved penalty in the recent 2-1 defeat at Famalicão.
The games are starting to pile up for Sporting, Rúben Amorim reinstating Sebastián Coates, Hidemasa Morita, Geny Catamo, Nuno Santos and Pote to the starting side following the 1-1 Europa League draw against Young Boys.
The tactician can have few complaints about the result in Vila do Conde however, his side playing some fine football in the first half but little of that on show in the final 45 minutes.
The Lions return to Lisbon where they will prepare to host Benfica in the Taça de Portugal semi-final first leg on Thursday.
By Matthew Marshall at Estádio dos Arcos
