Vitória 2-0 FC Zurich (aggregate: 5-0)
Happy days in Guimarães. Vitória made light work of beating Swiss Super League leaders FC Zurich for the second time in a week to give themselves a great chance of becoming the first Portuguese team to qualify for the UEFA Conference League tournament proper.
The clear superiority of Rui Borges’ team was translated into second-half goals by Manu Silva and Telmo Arcanjo as Vitória won 2-0 to complete a 5-0 aggregate victory.
It was the northerners’ fifth win in five matches in 2024/25 with the team yet to concede a goal this season.
Manu Silva grabs his chance
Borges gave midfield star Tomás Handel a day off, bringing in Manu Silva as his replacement in the defensive midfield position. The 23-year-old duly responded with a man-of-the-match display.
It has been an impressive start to the season by Vitória, and tonight was no exception with the hosts bossing the match for long periods and the only team that created genuine goal-scoring occasions.
It soon became obvious Zurich would have no chance of recovering the 3-0 deficit from the first leg, the visitors completely shut out by Vitória’s excellent defending as a unit.
Kaio César one to watch
Livewire Kaio César was again electric. The diminutive Brazilian is quickly confirming himself as a serious talent in Portugal, and his growing influence on Vitória’s attacking game has helped to diminish the disappointment of losing Jota Silva in the summer transfer market.
Another big crowd of over 21,000 at the Dom Afonso Henriques stadium were enjoying what they were seeing as João Mendes, Nélson Oliveira and Ricardo Mangas all had chances to break the deadlock in the first half for the hosts but the Swiss outfit survived until the interval.
Tiago Silva stung the hands of Zurich goalkeeper Brecher at the start of the second half but it was only a matter of time before Vitória scored, the breakthrough coming just before the hour mark.
Kaio César was again at the heart of a fine move, the Brazilian showing persistence and awareness to win the ball on the byline and play an accurate pass backwards to the edge of the box for Tiago Silva, who cushioned the ball for Manu to smash a superb shot into the net off the inside of the post from 20 yards out.
Arcanjo’s big moment
The lead was doubled in the 70th minute with two substitutes combining for the goal. Jesús Ramírez used his strength in a foot race with the last defender, winning possession, twisting and turning before firing in a low shot that Brecher beat away but straight into the path of Arcanjo who gleefully slotted the ball into the net.
It was an emotional moment for the winger who has only recently regained fitness after missing an entire season having suffered an ACL knee ligament tear. All the players and coaching staff celebrated effusively with Arcanjo.
There was more good news on the injury front as another highly rated player, midfielder João Mendes, also returned as a late substitute after a lengthy injury lay-off.
Bosnian opposition next
Vitória will play Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar in the playoff, starting with the home leg next week. The game is initially scheduled for Thursday but is likely to be brought forward to the Wednesday given that neighbours Braga also have a home European match on Thursday. Should Vitória maintain their early season form, they will be confident of booking their place in the newly designed format of Europe’s third-tier club competition.
“They tried to get back into the tie early on but we didn’t allow them to grow in belief,” said Borges post-match. “I’m happy that we are achieving our objectives but I refuse to go overboard. Later down the line, hopefully a long time from now, I know we will have a bad patch but I’ll be the same Rui Borges.”
“I have to praise the crowd once more, who showed they are different supporters in Portugal. I ask them to come and back us again on Sunday then on Wednesday because there will be times when the team will need them.”
by Tom Kundert
Vitória SC: Bruno Varela; Bruno Gaspar, Jorge Fernandes, Borevkovic, João Mendes (Samu, 61’); Manu Silva, Tiago Silva (Zé Carlos, 68’); Kaio César (Telmo Arcanjo, 68’), Nuno Santos (João Mendes, 76’), Mangas; Nelson Oliveira (Jesús Ramírez, 61’)
Goals:
[1-0] Manu Silva, 58’
[2-0] Telmo Arcanjo, 70’
