Sparta throw away Europa League win over Lillestrøm in stoppage time

Sparta Prague drew 1-1 with Norway’s Lillestrøm in the second round of the Europa League and let victory slip away in stoppage time. The match was played at Letná on 15 October in front of 17,024 spectators.

With stoppage time already under way, Sparta failed to finish off a counter-attack and soon paid for it. After a series of mistakes and unblocked shots, Thomas Olsen got the ball and beat goalkeeper Jakub Surovčík. The hosts were in shock and had no time to respond.

An advantage without a win

The Czech runners-up were the better side and confirmed it in the second half, though in the first they did not make the most of their chances. The first goal was scored by substitute Josimar Alcócer, who replaced Ebrima Singhateh at half-time. Singhateh had a poor game. Hugo Sochůrek passed a rebounding ball to Jonatan Braut Brunes, who carried it forward and played it left to Alcócer, and the Costa Rican winger confidently finished into the far corner. Goalkeeper Pontus Dahlberg stretched in vain.

Sparta took on the Scandinavians with centre-back Adam Ševínský as captain, Matěj Jurásek on the wing, Viktor Vitályos at left-back and their entire Norwegian contingent: defender Tobias Guddal, midfielder Sivert Mannsverk and striker Brunes. He has now waited twelve competitive matches for a goal, but he provided an important assist.

The first half ended in anger from the players and the stands: Slovenian referee Martin Matoša blew his whistle exactly at 45 minutes, while the hosts were still developing a promising attack. In the second half, Sochůrek, driving towards goal, was squeezed by two defenders and fell, but Matoša immediately decided there would be no penalty. Later Brunes took a shot and Dahlberg palmed it behind for a corner, and Olsen in the 85th minute still sent one over the bar. In stoppage time, however, he scored.

Match report

Europa League, round 2: Sparta Prague – Lillestrøm 1-1 (0-0). Goals: Alcócer – Olsen (90+1). Referee: Matoša (Slovenia). Yellow cards: Suchomel, Singhateh, Macek – Nyheim. Sparta coach: Brian Priske; Lillestrøm coach: Ödegaard.

Around Prague, based on reporting by sport.cz