Arouca Edge Estoril 3–2 in Five-Goal Primeira Liga Thriller

FC Arouca battled back from an early setback to claim a 3–2 home victory over GD Estoril Praia on matchday 28 of the Primeira Liga, sealing the turnaround with a second-half winner from Pablo Gozalbez.

Estoril made a flying start, breaking the deadlock in the 3rd minute. Xeka finished off an early move for the visitors, converting a pass from João Carvalho to put Estoril 1–0 up.

Primeira Liga FINISHED

2026-04-06 17:45

FC Arouca

3 - 2

GD Estoril Praia

Matchday 28 REGULAR_SEASON

Arouca responded just 10 minutes later. In the 13th minute, Barbero levelled the score at 1–1, finishing after being set up by Naïs Djouahra to restore parity and settle the hosts into the contest.

Estoril regained the lead on 32 minutes when Yanis Begraoui struck to make it 2–1, assisted by André. But Arouca refused to go into the break behind. Deep into first-half stoppage time, at 45+2 minutes, José Fontán found the equaliser, turning in a ball from Barbero to send the sides into half-time locked at 2–2.

The decisive moment arrived early in the second half. In the 55th minute, Gozalbez completed Arouca’s comeback, netting for 3–2 after being picked out by Tiago Esgaio. That goal ultimately proved enough to secure all three points for the home side.

The match also featured several bookings: Jordan Holsgrove and André were cautioned for Estoril, while Gozalbez, goalkeeper Ignacio De Arruabarrena and Puche were all shown yellow cards for Arouca. Both coaches turned to their benches in the second half, with multiple substitutions on each side, including the introductions of Alejandro Marqués and Pizzi for Estoril and Puche, Pedro Santos and Brian Mansilla for Arouca.

Further detailed statistics such as full lineups, possession figures and shot counts were not available at the time of writing.

The result strengthens Arouca’s position in the Primeira Liga table, while Estoril leave ruing a lead surrendered twice in an entertaining encounter. Full match data can be found at Ballaxy’s match centre.

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Primeira Liga Standings

Season: 2025/26

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Form
1	FC Porto	32	27	4	1	64	15	49	85	W W W W D
2	Sporting Clube de Portugal	32	23	7	2	82	23	59	76	W D D L W
3	Sport Lisboa e Benfica	32	22	10	0	69	22	47	76	D W W W D
4	Sporting Clube de Braga	32	16	9	7	60	32	28	57	D L W D W
5	FC Famalicão	32	14	10	8	41	29	12	52	D W D D D
6	Gil Vicente FC	32	13	11	8	46	32	14	50	D W L D
7	Vitória SC	32	12	6	14	39	48	-9	42	L W W D
8	Moreirense FC	32	12	6	14	37	47	-10	42	W L W D L
9	GD Estoril Praia	32	10	8	14	52	53	-1	38	D L L L L
10	FC Alverca	32	10	8	14	34	50	-16	38	L W L W W
11	FC Arouca	32	10	6	16	41	62	-21	36	D L W L W
12	Rio Ave FC	32	8	11	13	33	52	-19	35	D L D W L
13	CD Santa Clara	32	8	9	15	30	40	-10	33	D W D L
14	CD Nacional	32	8	7	17	35	43	-8	31	L W W L W
15	CF Estrela da Amadora	32	6	10	16	36	54	-18	28	L L L L L
16	Casa Pia AC	32	5	11	16	29	56	-27	26	L L L D L
17	CD Tondela	32	5	10	17	24	52	-28	25	W D L L D
18	AVS	32	2	11	19	24	66	-42	17	W D D D