Senegal striker Alioune Ndoye scored his first goal of the season for Vitória SC as they pushed Sporting CP hard before eventually losing 3-2 in the Portuguese Liga.
Ndoye’s 69th-minute header at Sporting’s Alvalade Stadium gave Vitória renewed hope after they had fallen three goals behind, but the visitors could not complete the comeback.
The goal was an encouraging start to the campaign for the 24-year-old forward, who scored only twice in 24 Portuguese league appearances during his first season with Vitória.
Having featured in just the second league game of the new campaign, Ndoye has already matched half of his goal total from last season.
Vitória faced a difficult opening period in Lisbon and went into the second half 3-0 down. But the visitors responded strongly after the break, scoring twice in three minutes to turn a comfortable Sporting advantage into a tense finish.
Samu Silva began the comeback in the 66th minute before Ndoye pulled Vitória within one goal.
The Senegalese forward’s goal came from a cross delivered by Tony Strata from the right. Ndoye rose above the Sporting defence and directed his header into the net, giving the hosts little chance of stopping the effort.
The goal transformed the mood of the game, with Vitória suddenly applying pressure and threatening to complete a remarkable comeback.
They were unable to find the equaliser, however, as Sporting survived the late pressure to secure all three points.
For Ndoye, the strike offered a positive individual moment despite another difficult result for Vitória, who have now suffered two defeats from their opening two league matches.
His contribution could nevertheless prove important as the club looks to improve its attacking output during the season.
Ndoye arrived in Portugal after gaining experience in Latvia and Switzerland.
His spell in Switzerland with Servette FC proved particularly productive after he joined the club on loan in January 2025.
He scored six goals in 15 Swiss league appearances, finishing the campaign as Servette’s fourth-highest scorer.
That spell helped revive his career and eventually led to his permanent move to Vitória SC.
His first Portuguese campaign was considerably less productive in front of goal, with two goals in 24 league appearances.
