Pietuszewski injured in warm-up; Sainz scores as Porto wins ninth straight

Oskar Pietuszewski suffered a left thigh muscle injury during warm-up before FC Porto's Liga Portugal match against Gil Vicente on 24 October, forcing Borja Sainz into the starting lineup. Sainz scored the decisive goal in an acrobatic finish, securing Porto's ninth consecutive league victory—the best start in club history.

Quick Facts

Pietuszewski injured during pre-match warm-up
Sainz substituted into starting lineup
Sainz scored acrobatic winning goal
FC Porto won match
Porto extended unbeaten run

FC Porto winger Oskar Pietuszewski suffered a muscle injury to his left thigh during pre-match warm-up before Saturday's Primeira Liga fixture against Gil Vicente at Estádio Cidade de Barcelos on 24 October 2026. The Polish 18-year-old, initially selected in the starting lineup by manager Francesco Farioli, presented complaints approximately 20 minutes before kickoff and was withdrawn as a precautionary measure after consultation with team doctor Nélson Puga and physiotherapist Álvaro Magalhães.

Borja Sainz, the Spanish forward formerly of Norwich City, was promoted to replace Pietuszewski in the starting eleven. Sainz proved decisive, scoring an acrobatic finish that secured all three points for Porto. The goal extended the club's unbeaten run to nine consecutive league victories—the best start in the club's history—and maintained their position at the top of the standings.

Pietuszewski has endured an injury-affected campaign. He missed the early phase of the 2026–27 season after sustaining a muscle injury to his right thigh during pre-season preparation. Upon recovery, he returned to competitive action on 20 September in the Clássico against Benfica, subsequently appearing in matches against Marítimo (scoring the winning goal) and Real Betis, and started in midweek against PSV Eindhoven before this latest setback.

Sainz's goal carried personal significance; the striker dedicated the match to his mother, who died at the end of the previous season. After the match, Sainz told Sport TV: "I hope many more goals come." Porto's next fixture is scheduled for 28 October against Académico Viseu in the Taça da Liga.

Topics

Sports

#Gil Vicente #FC Porto #Borja Sainz #unbeaten run #Primeira Liga #Portugal #injury #football #Oskar Pietuszewski

Entities

Why This Matters

Porto's nine-game winning streak marks the club's strongest league start on record and maintains their position atop the standings. The injury to Pietuszewski, already affected by thigh strain in pre-season and early league play, signals ongoing squad depth challenges as Porto advances through concurrent domestic and continental fixtures. Sainz's promotion to starter and immediate impact indicates manager Farioli's tactical flexibility, while Porto's next fixture against Académico Viseu on 28 October in the Taça da Liga continues a compressed October schedule.

Timeline & Sources

Oct 24, 2026

Wire

Borja Sainz gives exclusive post-match interview to Sport TV

Oct 28, 2026

Wire

FC Porto scheduled to face Académico Viseu in Taça da Liga at Estádio do Dragão