Leicester City were represented in the stands on Tuesday night as Vitória de Guimarães overturned Sporting in dramatic fashion to reach the Taça da Liga final.
According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, the Championship club sent observers to Leiria as part of a wider scouting routine focused on younger profiles with development potential rather than established names.
The semi-final ended 2-1 to Vitória de Guimarães, with two goals in stoppage time deciding the outcome.
The most decisive intervention came from Alioune Ndoye, who changed the game from the bench. The 24-year-old forward scored twice late on, showing sharp instincts inside the box and composure in decisive moments. His impact came with limited touches, a trait that often appeals to clubs working with defined budgets and clear upside targets.
Vitória de Guimarães also provided several younger reference points. Right-back Tony Strata, 21, impressed with his energy and defensive discipline on the flank. Winger Oumar Camara, just 18, showed confidence and willingness to take risks in possession. In midfield, Beni Mukendi, 23, delivered a composed performance, offering balance and physical presence during key phases of the game.
Sporting, by contrast, offered fewer positives from a development perspective. Young midfielder João Simões struggled to influence the tempo, while defender Eduardo Quaresma found it hard to cope as Vitória pushed late on.
More established figures such as Luis Suárez and Francisco Trincão were also on show. They had good displays, but ultimately failed to secure a spot in the cup final.
Leicester’s presence in Leiria looked geared towards profiling and information gathering. Whether any of these names move forward in their planning remains open, but several Vitória players ensured they were noted.
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