The team equalise late against Vitória SC

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 4-4 at Vitória SC on Liga Portugal Matchday 17, in a game that included a hat-trick for Viktor Gyökeres.

In front of a practically full D. Afonso Henriques Stadium and with a strong presence of Sportinguistas, Rui Borges opted for the same starting XI as against SL Benfica, whilst the most notable inclusion on the bench was Alexandre Brito, a 19-year-old midfielder seeking to make his debut.

Sporting CP scored after just two minutes: Hidemasa Morita passed to Geovany Quenda and he served up a ball to Viktor Gyökeres, who shot in off Óscar Rivas.

Shortly afterwards, they made another attack, with Geny Catamo's fierce shot saved by Bruno Varela.

Vitória SC responded after seven minutes, when Tiago Silva scored with a free kick to equalise.

Sporting CP took the lead again before the quarter of an hour, as the frantic start continued.  Quenda intercepted a pass and once again set up Gyökeres, who took his chance well to make it 1-2.

For Vitória SC, Gustavo Silva's shot went close to the post, and another opportunity ws denied by Ousmane Diomande. At the other end, Morten Hjulmand then had a shot from outside the box go slightly wide.

Quenda's shot over the top was the final Sporting CP effort of the half, which ended 1-2.

In the second half, it was Vitória SC's turn to come out stronger and more offensive, seeking to put more pressure on Sporting CP in the midfield. In response, Rui Borges decided, in the 55th minute, to bring Maxi Araújo on in place of Geovany Quenda.

The substitution paid off, as, within minutes, the Uruguayan headed an assist to Gyökeres, who grabbed his 21st goal in Liga Portugal and 30th of the season for Sporting CP.

Trailing by two, Vitória SC went after Sporting CP again, and managed to create danger with a ball that deflected close to his own goal by Hjulmand.

Eventually, the home team reduced the score to 2-3, through Kaio César, who went on to test Franco Israel again.

Vitória SC then equalised and took the lead, thanks to João Mendes and then Michel in the 85th minute.

Iván Fresneda and Conrad Harder came on to replace Eduardo Quaresma and Hidemasa Morita, and the Dane threatened with a shot wide within a minute. But it would be in stoppage time that, Sporting CP finally managed to draw level: A cross from Maxi Araújo found Francisco Trincão, who shot in to make it 4-4.

Sporting CP will play again next Tuesday, facing FC Porto in the semi-finals of the Taça da Liga.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Eduardo Quaresma (Iván Fresneda, 87'), Ousmane Diomande, Jeremiah St. Juste, Matheus Reis, Geny Catamo (João Simões, 79'), Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (Conrad Harder, 87'), Geovany Quenda (Maxi Araújo, 55'), Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres.