Brenden Aaronson’s last-minute strike salvaged a point for Daniel Farke’s side, after Callum Lang’s penalty appeared to have secured a win for John Mousinho’s team in stoppage time.
The Blues came from behind to lead through goals from newcomer Elias Sorensen and Callum Lang in an exhilarating first half at Elland Road.
The sharp Wilfried Gnonto equalized seconds after the restart, following Pompey’s resistance against a team widely expected to gain promotion.
Pompey showed remarkable determination, despite missing six key players and integrating new ones, in front of a crowd of 36,432.
There was even time for Aaronson to miss a golden opportunity to win, as he fired wide with the last action of the game.
The opening 10 minutes were a harsh introduction to the Championship for Pompey, as Leeds bombarded them with attacks.
Farke’s side struck the woodwork three times within two minutes, with efforts from Wilfried Gnonto, Ethan Ampadu, and a Gnonto free-kick all hitting the frame of the goal.
The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Daniel James was fouled by Connor Ogilvie, allowing Will Norris to convert the penalty.
Pompey’s challenge was to minimize the damage and find their footing, and remarkably, they equalized in the 23rd minute through Sorensen.
Marlon Pack’s clever pass found the Dane in space, who drove a low shot past Illan Meslier.
Leeds continued to create chances, with Will Norris saving from Gnonto, but then Lang produced a moment of magic four minutes before the break.
Pack’s free-kick was cleared to Lang, who took one touch before unleashing a superb shot from over 20 yards out.
Andre Dozzell received a yellow card four minutes before halftime for a foul on Daniel James, with the home crowd calling for a harsher punishment.
It took only 56 seconds after the restart for Leeds to equalize, following Terry Devlin’s substitution for Sammy Silvera.
Gnonto was given too much space by Conor Shaughnessy, allowing him to drill a shot past Norris from the edge of the box.
Leeds maintained their pressure in the pouring rain, with Gnonto creating chances for Gruev and Rutter, who both tested Norris from the edge of the box.
Patrick Bamford missed a significant opportunity with seven minutes left, failing to hit the target with his header from close range.
The drama intensified in stoppage time when Jayden Bogle fouled Christian Saydee in the box, and Lang calmly converted the penalty.
Pompey seemed to have secured the win, but they dropped deep, allowing Aaronson to fire through a crowd of players in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Aaronson then found himself free in the box but astonishingly missed the target before the final whistle blew.
Mousinho’s brave players were then celebrated by the traveling Pompey supporters for their determined performance.
