Brighton 1-1 Fulham: Muniz’s Last-Gasp Equaliser Denies Seagulls on Opening Day
Brighton and Fulham shared the spoils in dramatic fashion at the Amex as Rodrigo Muniz’s injury-time strike cancelled out Matt O’Riley’s spot-kick in the opening weekend of the Premier League.
Match Summary
- First Half: Both teams traded periods of possession but struggled to create clinical chances, leaving it goalless at the break.
- Brighton Break Through: The home side seized the initiative in the 55th minute. Matt O’Riley stepped up and coolly converted a penalty after Georginio Rutter was bundled over in the box by Fulham’s Sander Berge, sending the Amex roar into full force.
- Missed Chances: Brighton looked the more likely to extend their lead, with Minteh, Gómez, and Gruda all missing gilt-edged opportunities as Fulham chased the game.
- Fulham’s Dramatic Leveler: Deep into stoppage time, with the Seagulls seemingly cruising and the visiting supporters losing hope, Fulham forced a corner. The ball bobbled across the area and substitute Rodrigo Muniz pounced, tucking a composed finish low into the corner in the 96th minute. His teammates swarmed the Brazilian, having snatched a point at the death.
Game Stats at a Glance
| Brighton | Fulham | |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 14 | 10 |
| On Target | 5 | 3 |
| Possession | 63% | 37% |
| Corners | 8 | 4 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
Key Moments
- 55’ — Matt O’Riley scores penalty (Brighton 1-0 Fulham).
- 90+6’ — Rodrigo Muniz finishes from close range to equalise (Brighton 1-1 Fulham).
- Brighton’s attackers—all wasteful after the breakthrough—will rue their missed chances.
- Fulham’s never-say-die attitude rewarded in the final play of the match.
Manager Reactions
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi lamented his attack’s wastefulness and described the ending as “cruel,” while Fulham’s Marco Silva hailed his team’s spirit and Muniz’s contribution from the bench.
Takeaways
- Brighton: Dominant for much of the contest but failed to finish off Fulham. A classic lesson in Premier League ruthlessness.
- Fulham: Rescued a point in the most dramatic fashion and showed they can always be a threat—right until the last whistle.
The Amex faithful were left stunned, as a match they looked sure to win slipped dramatically from their grasp in stoppage time.
