ROME, ITALY: Pedro Rodriguez of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Fabio Vieira of FC Porto during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 ...
Arsenal loanee scores from outside the box in Europa League clash 1
Arsenal loanee Fabio Vieira scored his first goal back with FC Porto on Thursday night, netting against Anderlecht in a Europa League fixture.
Fabio Vieira with FC Porto (Photo via FC Porto on Instagram)
Photo via FC Porto on Instagram
With FC Porto on a run of three consecutive defeats going into Thursday night’s match away to Anderlecht, it was important for the team to get a result and put their season back on track.
Arsenal loanee Fabio Vieira wasn’t initially given the chance to aid in that cause, dropping to the bench after his start at the weekend.
But the midfielder was introduced at 1-1 with eight minutes to go and the chance to win the match.
ROME, ITALY: Pedro Rodriguez and Matias Vecino of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Fabio Vieira of FC Porto during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between S.S. Lazio and FC Porto at Stadio Olimpico on November 07, 2024. (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY: Pedro Rodriguez and Matias Vecino of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Fabio Vieira of FC Porto during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between S.S. Lazio and FC Porto at Stadio Olimpico on November 07, 2024. (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Vieira immediately stepped up to the task at hand, and within seconds he’d given Porto the lead.
Picking up the ball in midfield, Vieira carried possession towards the opposing penalty area before unleashing a shot with his right foot from well outside the box.
The effort cannoned into the bottom corner, putting Porto in the lead. It was his first goal back in his 12th appearance for his loan team.
But three minutes later they conceded again to ultimately draw the match 2-2.
Fabio Vieira with FC Porto (Photo via Forca.Dragoes on Instagram)
Photo via Forca.Dragoes on Instagram
The draw at least ended that run of losses, but Porto will rue the fact the match didn’t end in a win.
Anderlecht initially took the lead after Porto’s Pepe made a mistake in possession on the edge of his penalty area, and the equaliser was effectively headed into their own net by Porto defender Otavio.
Porto now sit 23rd in the table. They’re still in the progression places at the moment, but only by a few goals. Their chances of a top-eight finish and avoiding a play-off game already look remote at best.
The highlights of the match are available here.