Championship: Leeds and Pompey play out opening day classic
Leeds United 3 - 3 Portsmouth
Brenden Aaronson salvaged a dramatic late point for Leeds United on their opening day, as they were pushed to the limit by Championship newcomers Portsmouth.
Leeds took the lead when Pascal Struijk coolly converted a penalty after Daniel James was brought down. However, Pompey equalised through Elias Sorensen.
Portsmouth then seized the advantage just before half-time with a stunning long-range strike from Callum Lang, but Leeds responded almost immediately after the break, with Willy Gnonto slotting in an equaliser.
The drama intensified in stoppage time when Portsmouth were awarded a penalty after Jayden Bogle’s challenge on Christian Saydee. Lang calmly converted the 92nd-minute spot-kick, giving Pompey what seemed to be a late victory. But Aaronson had other ideas, firing in a low shot to ensure Leeds claimed a point.
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A closer look at what happened
For Portsmouth, it was a tough return to the Championship after more than a decade away, and Elland Road proved a challenging venue. Leeds dominated the early stages and should have gone ahead when both Willy Gnonto and Ethan Ampadu hit the post from close range in quick succession.
They eventually broke the deadlock 10 minutes in, with Struijk confidently placing his penalty into the bottom left corner after Connor Ogilvie fouled James.
Portsmouth captain Marlon Pack played a perfectly timed through ball to Sorensen, whose shot deflected off Leeds keeper Illan Meslier and into the net.
Despite controlling much of the first half, Leeds found themselves behind at the break when a poorly cleared free-kick fell to Lang, who rifled a shot past Meslier.
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Leeds quickly equalised after the restart, with Gnonto driving into the Portsmouth box and finishing neatly past Will Norris.
The match remained tense and chaotic in the closing moments. Lang's late penalty added to the drama, though replays suggested Bogle's foul might have occurred outside the box.
Leeds refused to give up. Aaronson’s fifth-minute equaliser in stoppage time brought the game to a thrilling conclusion. He then had a chance to win it in the dying seconds, but his close-range effort missed the target.
