Arouca and Gil Vicente Share Spoils in Seven-Card Thriller

AROUCA, PORTUGAL — Murilo de Souza's left-footed strike three minutes into the second half, confirmed after a VAR review, salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw for fourth-placed Gil Vicente against 15th-placed Arouca in a pulsating Primeira Liga encounter that saw the visitors dominate possession but fail to convert their superiority into victory.

The match exploded into life in the opening quarter-hour as Arouca stunned their higher-ranked opponents with two quick-fire goals. Lee Hyun-Ju broke the deadlock in the eighth minute, firing a left-footed effort from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner after Alfonso Trezza's clever assist. Just four minutes later, Trezza turned from provider to scorer, prodding home a right-footed shot from very close range to double the hosts' advantage. The Estádio Municipal de Arouca erupted as the home faithful sensed a famous upset against a Gil Vicente side sitting 21 points above them in the table.

But Gil Vicente, enjoying the majority of possession throughout, refused to surrender. Pablo hauled them back into contention in the 41st minute with a towering header from the centre of the box that nestled into the top right corner, meeting Luís Esteves' pinpoint cross following a corner. The visitors carried that momentum into the second period, and their persistence paid off when Murilo de Souza levelled matters in the 48th minute, converting from very close range to the centre of the goal. The Brazilian's celebration was delayed as referee consulted VAR, but the goal stood, setting up a tense finale.

Gil Vicente enjoyed the majority of possession at 54.3% and created significantly more chances, outshooting their hosts 17 to 9. Both goalkeepers made three saves apiece as Nico Mantl and Andrew kept their sides in contention during crucial moments. The referee was busy throughout, brandishing seven cards in a feisty affair that saw five Arouca players and two Gil Vicente players cautioned. Pedro Santos and Omar Fayed both found their way into the book for the hosts, while Facundo Cáseres and Mohamed Bamba received yellow cards for the visitors.

The turning point arrived in the 64th minute when Lee Hyun-Ju, one of Arouca's early heroes, was forced off through injury and replaced by Pablo Gozálbez. The substitution disrupted Arouca's rhythm, and Gil Vicente pressed relentlessly for a winner. Santi García came agonizingly close in the 69th minute, his right-footed effort from outside the box whistling just wide of the top right corner. The nervy final 10 minutes saw both sides create half-chances, with Alfonso Trezza's header missing the target in the 90th minute and Joelson Fernandes' shot blocked as the clock ticked down.

Looking ahead, Arouca will host Tondela on January 4, while Gil Vicente face a stern test when they host league giants Sporting CP on January 2.