Amadora Fans Celebrate Estrela’s 3-3 Comeback Draw with Braga

A six-goal roller-coaster in Amadora left neither side fully satisfied yet kept the crowd buzzing long after the final whistle. Estrela da Amadora clawed back a two-goal deficit against Sporting de Braga, turning what looked like a routine away win into one of the season’s early classics and reminding Portuguese fans that every point can swing fortunes in the congested mid-table.

Key beats in a flash

• Three equalisers, one red-hot atmosphere.

• Braga’s veteran João Moutinho scored first; Estrela’s youngsters had the last word.

• Possession favoured the visitors, but xG told a harsher truth for the home team.

Pulse of a rain-soaked scoreline

The evening at Estádio José Gomes felt like pure loucura na Amadora. Braga struck first on 12 minutes when João Moutinho tucked away a coolly-taken penalty, and the visitors seemed in control of the tempo. Four minutes later, however, Kikas answered with a skimming rocket from 20 metres that sent the adeptos behind the goal into delirium.

Momentum tilted again after the break. A clinical touch from Fran Navarro on 51 minutes and a precise drive by Rodrigo Zalazar at 64 gave Braga what looked like a comfortable 3-1 margin. Yet football’s capricious side revealed itself: substitute Jovane Cabral slalomed through traffic for 3-2, and fellow forward Abraham Marcus headed in the leveller only four minutes later. Six goals in 61 frantic minutes produced a 3-3 draw that felt more like a win for Estrela and a sting for a Braga side chasing Europe.

Tactical voices from the dug-out

Estrela boss João Nuno hailed the squad’s “alma e crença”, praising the way his players kept hunting space even when the match seemed lost. He admitted the side’s left channel was “too porous” during Braga’s surge but singled out the roaring home support for pushing the comeback.

Across the technical area, Carlos Vicens cut a frustrated figure. The Braga manager blamed “avoidable moments” for transforming a two-goal cushion into a solitary point, adding that his back line “has to grow comfortable against direct balls and cantos”. Vicens nevertheless defended the decision to unleash Zalazar after the interval, saying the Uruguay international’s freshness was key to the brief two-goal bulge.

The numbers beneath the drama

Braga monopolised 58 % possession and crafted an xG of 2.68, dwarfing Estrela’s 0.90. Curiously, the hosts still out-shot the Arsenalistas 9-8, evidence that their attacks, while rarer, were sharper. Estrela won 7 corners, two of which led directly to goals, underlining João Nuno’s post-match focus on set pieces. On the discipline front, only 3 yellow cards surfaced in spite of the heavy rain and slippery turf.

What it means for the table

With most clubs hovering in tightly packed clusters, every draw carries ramifications. Braga move to 27 points, clinging to the edge of the European places but missing a chance to climb above Vitória. Estrela inch to 19 points, enough to keep daylight between themselves and the relegation trio. Both sides face contrasting fixtures next weekend: Braga welcome title-fancied Porto, while Estrela visit fellow capital outfit Casa Pia, a duel likely to feel like an extended derby for supporters in Greater Lisbon.

At a glance

– Man of the Match: Jovane Cabral – energy changer.– Turning point: Marcus’s 73’ header, seconds after Braga’s missed clearance.– Stat to remember: Estrela’s comeback was their first 2-goal recovery in the top flight since 2006.

From torrential skies to torrid twists, the Amadora faithful witnessed a reminder that the Liga Portugal Betclic rarely follows a script. When the goals fall like rain, nobody goes home dry – not even the favourites.