Primeira Liga
Marítimo Salvages Late Draw Against Académico Viseu
Marítimo came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw at Estadio do Maritimo in Primeira Liga action.
Marítimo were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at Estadio do Maritimo after a dramatic late penalty from A. Butzke salvaged a point for the hosts in the 87th minute.
The visitors, Académico Viseu, took the lead in the 25th minute through Andre Clovis, who was set up by A. Correia. It was a composed finish that gave the guests a commanding edge in the early stages of the contest.
Before halftime, Académico Viseu doubled their advantage in stoppage time. S. Messeguem found the net in the 45th minute plus one, leaving Marítimo trailing 2-0 at the break despite a relatively subdued first half from the home side.
Marítimo finally got on the board in the 70th minute when P. Henrique pulled one back for the hosts. The goal provided a much-needed spark for the home crowd and set up a tense final 20 minutes.
The momentum shifted further in the 87th minute when Marítimo were awarded a penalty. A. Butzke stepped up and converted, sending the stadium into raptures as the hosts closed the gap to just one goal.
The closing minutes were tense, with both sides pushing for a winner. Académico Viseu had chances to restore their two-goal cushion, while Marítimo looked dangerous on the counter. Ultimately, neither side could find a decisive third goal.
Discipline was tested throughout the match, with eight yellow cards handed out. Raphael Guzzo and Igor Juliao were booked for Marítimo, while N. Michelis, S. Messeguem, C. Kahraman, A. Correia, A. Ceitil, and A. Zamora received cautions for Académico Viseu.
Referee Luis Carlos Mateus Filipe kept tight control of the contest, managing the flow and the mounting tensions as the game entered its decisive phase.
Both coaches made tactical adjustments, with Marítimo deploying a 4-2-3-1 under Mitchell van der Gaag and Académico Viseu lining up in a 4-3-3 formation guided by Bruno Pinheiro.
Following the result, Marítimo sit third in the Primeira Liga table with six points from two matches, while Académico Viseu remain in 11th place with just one point after two games.
The draw keeps both sides in contention early in the season, with Marítimo showing resilience and Académico Viseu still searching for consistency in front of goal.