Senegal striker Alioune Ndoye on target as Sporting edge Vitória Guimarães

Senegalese striker Alioune Ndoye scored for Vitória Guimarães but could not prevent his side from suffering a 3-2 defeat against Sporting in the second round of the Liga Portugal season.

The result leaves Vitória Guimarães without a point from their opening two league matches after another difficult evening in the Portuguese top flight.

Following a 1-0 defeat by Arouca in their opening fixture, Vitória Guimarães were hoping to respond against Sporting at the José Alvalade Stadium.

Instead, the visitors endured a difficult first half and went into the interval three goals behind.

Sporting’s strong opening gave Vitória Guimarães a significant challenge to overcome after the break, but the visitors showed a different level of determination in the second half.

They began their comeback through Samu, who reduced the deficit in the 66th minute.

Just two minutes later, Ndoye added another goal to bring Vitória Guimarães within one goal of their opponents.

The Senegalese forward’s strike gave the visitors renewed hope of completing a comeback after finding themselves 3-0 down at half-time.

However, Vitória Guimarães were unable to find the equalising goal before the final whistle, allowing Sporting to hold on for a 3-2 victory.

The defeat means Vitória Guimarães have now lost their first two matches of the campaign. Their opening-day loss to Arouca was followed by Friday’s narrow defeat against Sporting.

For Ndoye, the goal provided an individual highlight on an otherwise disappointing night for his team. His effort came during a much-improved second-half display from Vitória Guimarães, who scored twice within two minutes.

Despite their late push, the deficit created during the opening 45 minutes proved too difficult to overcome.

Sporting, meanwhile, secured another victory and remain at the top of the Liga Portugal table following the second round of matches.

Vitória Guimarães’ difficult start has left them in 17th place, already inside the relegation zone.

The Conquistadors will now have to look for their first points of the season after losing their opening two fixtures.

Ndoye’s goal will offer some encouragement, but the result leaves Vitória Guimarães with plenty of work to do as they attempt to recover from their poor beginning to the campaign.