Arrive at your opponent’s house, don’t ask permission and sign a work of art? Yes, it is possible. That’s what João Carvalho did. The goal (pardon me, the great goal) from the Portuguese creative was the best way for Estoril to enter the match. Haven’t you seen the moment yet, dear reader? So take the advice: minute three. You won’t regret it, we can guarantee it. What sacoit is said in football slang.
It was, therefore, riding on the captain’s touch of class that the Line’s emblem set off into a bright yellow night. What quality!
And before that, it should be noted, Yanis Begraoui and Rafik Guitane had already left a warning to Renan Ribeiro.
The tricolors tried to react immediately to the disadvantage and Kikas, in the 5th minute, came close to equalizing. The captain — who must have played his last game for the stars, as his transfer to Belgian side Eupen (a team coached by the Portuguese Bruno Pinheiro and which is fighting for promotion to that country’s elite) is practically closed — tested from mid-range, but the ball went wide of the left post of Robles’ goal.
This situation affected the stars, who began to play more time in the offensive midfield, but only on one other occasion did they create a real danger, with the Estorilistas’ goalkeeper denying the equalizer to Jefferson Encada (37′) — in the middle, it should be noted, Renan Ribeiro had also stopped Begraoui’s shot, after Guitane’s pass.
And as evil never comes alone, just before half-time another (huge) adversity arose for João Nuno: Abraham Marcus was sent off, after bringing down João Carvalho (without the ball) and the home team were reduced to 10 players.
The path was (even more open) for Estoril’s triumphant entry into the second round of the championship. And if there were any doubts, then Yanis Begraoui’s magic dispelled them. The French-Moroccan winger — who in the last round of last season had already scored three goals against… Estrela da Amadora (4-0), on May 17, 2025, in Amoreira — said oui to Carvalho’s work of art and took over the spotlight of the painting exhibition.
O spectacle number 14 started in the 51st minute, following the generosity of the Portuguese creative, continued immediately afterwards, in the form of a penalty (54′) — a foul by Otávio Fernandes on Ricard Sánchez —, and was sealed with a flourish in the 70th minute, following an excellent individual play that resulted in the hat trick. Among so much magic, there was still time for Alejandro Marqués’s (65′) accurate deflection, after a well-aimed cross from the… captain.
João Carvalho and company told Begraoui: «Hat!»
The figure: Kikas (Star of Amadora)
In the (more than likely) goodbye to Reboleira he tried to leave his mark: the goal. After just five minutes, and at a time when his team was already at a disadvantage, the captain set the tone and shot from outside the area, causing the ball to hit the left post of the opposite goal. Even after numerical inferiority, he always tried to row against the tide. He deserved the tribute from the fans.
Man of the match: Yanis Begraoui (Estoril)
Three goals. The more than obvious reason for the individual prominence. The Franco-Moroccan winger did not let João Carvalho (he also scored and made an assist) receive the distinction this time. But don’t think that it was just fine-tuned aim that put the Estorilistas striker in this space. Because Begraoui was always very active on the attacking front. A real puzzle.
Notes from Estrela da Amadora players:
Renan Ribeiro (4), Jefferson Encada (4), Luan Patrick (4), Bernardo Schappo (4), Otávio Fernandes (3), Alex Sola (4), Paulo Moreira (5), Abraham Marcus (3), Jorge Meireles (5), Ianis Stoica (4), Kikas (5), Guilherme Montóia (4), Jovane Cabral (5), Robinho (5), Alisson Souza (4) and Atanas Chernev (-).
Notes from Estoril players:
Joel Robles (6), Ricard Sánchez (7), Kévin Boma (5), Felix Bacher (5), Pedro Amaral (6), Jandro Orellana (6), Jordan Holsgrove (6), Yanis Begraoui (8), Rafik Guitane (7), João Carvalho (8), Alejandro Marqués (7), Ferro (5), Antef Tsoungui (5), Pizzi (5), Peixinho (5) and Nodar Lominadze (5).
João Nuno (trainer of Estrela da Amadora)
Expulsion does not explain everything. We started badly, we conceded an early goal, and then we were what we have been and could have equalized. After the expulsion, the game changed, but we also made clear mistakes that cannot happen.
Ian Cathro (Estoril coach)
From the beginning that we demonstrated our intention, we started with a good rhythm. Obviously the early goal helps and the expulsion has a big impact on the game. We controlled, without forcing, and this shows that we continue to grow.
