Sporting CP are held to a 0-0 stalemate by Gil Vicente FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 0-0 away to Gil Vicente FC on Liga Portugal Matchday 15, in a game in which they were unable to convert their chances in front of goal.

For the contest at the Estádio da Cidade de Barcelos, they took to the field with two changes in the starting lineup, as Ousmane Diomande and Conrad Harder replaced Matheus Reis and Geny Catamo. On the bench were Miguel Alves (18 years old) and Eduardo Felicíssimo (17), looking for their debut for the first team, as well as fellow youngsters Mauro Couto and Henrique Arreiol, who have already played minutes in recent weeks.

Sporting CP created the first opportunity with a great move from Geovany Quenda, as he set up Maxi Araújo with a great pass. The Uruguayan crossed for Viktor Gyökeres, whose header was blocked by defender Mory Gbane.

Gil Vicente FC missed the target off a chance for Josué Sá, but it was Sporting CP who were firmly on top and, in the 18th minute, Gyökeres shot from distance in an effort that whistled past the post. At the other end, Santi García's strike was easily saved by Franco Israel.

Several minutes followed with a battle in the midfield. Sporting CP lacked precision, while Gil Vicente FC favoured careful construction -albeit without turning it into opportunities.

Quenda's cross for Gyökeres to head towards goal ended up with goalkeeper Andrew saving, and the game went into halftime with the score at 0-0.

Matheus Reis came on for Eduardo Quaresma for the second half and Sporting CP started well. Araújo took an early corner kick, Francisco Trincão headed it on and Gyökeres shot, but his attempt went askew. After that, the Swede went through on Andrew, but the goalkeeper won out in the one-on-one.

In the 62nd minute, Quenda threatened off a free kick, but Andrew again saved. Gil Vicente CF withdrew and it was only Sporting CP who looked likely to score.

A perfect cross from Trincão was met by a powerful header from Conrad Harder, but Andrew made another stop to deny him.

In the final quarter of an hour, referee André Narciso gave a penalty for a foul on Zeno Debast, but overturned the decision after consulting VAR. Andrew saved the home team again with two great stops: One from a shot by Geny Catamo and the other by  Trincão.

Mauro Couto came on three minutes into stoppage time, and Sporting CP continued to attack, whilst Franco Israel was only required to make a save from Félix Correia. The game ended goalless, and Os Leões now wait until a home derby against SL Benfica in Alvalade to play again.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [Gk], Eduardo Quaresma (Matheus Reis, 45'), Ousmane Diomande, Zeno Debast, Geovany Quenda (Geny Catamo, 65'), Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões, Maxi Araújo (Mauro Couto, 87'), Francisco Trincão, Conrad Harder and Viktor Gyökeres.