Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
E. Simonsen scored twice in two minutes (84', 86') to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 win for FC Fredericia over CD Mafra in a pre-season friendly in Denmark.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Fredericia took the lead in the 31st minute when A. Dahl found the net, but Mafra responded just before the interval. Rodrigo Matos restored parity in the 39th minute, sending the sides in level at the break.
Mafra emerged stronger after half-time and completed the turnaround through Francisco Ferreira in the 58th minute, putting Tim Sparv's side 2-1 ahead.
Fredericia refused to buckle. With six minutes of normal time remaining, E. Simonsen levelled the scores in the 84th minute — and then struck again just two minutes later in the 86th, completing a remarkable personal double that sealed a 3-2 win for the Danish hosts.
The Turning Point
Mafra had controlled much of the second half after Ferreira's goal and looked set to close out a hard-fought victory. But Fredericia's pressure ratcheted up in the final 10 minutes, and Simonsen's quickfire brace — two goals in 120 seconds — flipped the game entirely. The Danish side scored twice from the 84th minute onwards, a period that proved decisive.
Key Performers
E. Simonsen (FC Fredericia) — The match-winner. His 84th-minute equaliser gave Fredericia a lifeline, and he followed it with the decisive strike two minutes later. Two goals from two shots in a match-turning cameo.
A. Dahl (FC Fredericia) — Opened the scoring with a well-taken goal in the 31st minute and was a consistent threat in the first half.
Rodrigo Matos (Mafra) — Scored the crucial equaliser just before half-time to settle Mafra's nerves after Fredericia's early opener.
Francisco Ferreira (Mafra) — Put Mafra ahead in the 58th minute with a composed finish that looked like it might decide the game.
By the Numbers — Interpreted
Pre-match data from Sports Mole gave Fredericia a 46.9% win probability, while a 3-2 scoreline carried just a 3.8% likelihood — underlining the drama of the outcome. Both teams scored, as predicted by a 60.5% BTTS probability, and the five goals sailed past the 60.1% over-2.5 goals projection. The result stretched Fredericia's unbeaten pre-season run to two matches after their 3-1 win over Holstein Kiel on 4 July.
What It Means
For Mafra, this was the second and final match of their pre-season training camp in Denmark under new manager Tim Sparv — the former Finland captain. They beat Esbjerg 2-0 on 11 July and return to Portugal on Thursday to continue preparations ahead of the Liga 3 2026/27 season, whose draw takes place on 16 July.
Fredericia, who compete in the Danish 1st Division (second tier), continue their pre-season build-up with a second friendly win in succession.
Verdict
A pre-season friendly that delivered genuine entertainment. Mafra showed encouraging signs under Sparv, particularly in the second half, but Fredericia's resilience and Simonsen's late explosion proved the difference. The Danish side will take more from the character shown than the scoreline itself.
Match Events
Key match events between FC Fredericia and Mafra — 5 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Rivalry since 2024
FC Fredericia vs Mafra Head to Head Results· 1
FC Fredericia and Mafra have met 1 times — FC Fredericia won 1, Mafra won 0, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2024. FC Fredericia leads the head-to-head with 1 victory from 1 meeting. A combined 1 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 1.00 per match (1 for the home side, 0 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 0 matches (0%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 0 games (0%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 1–0 in 2024.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 16 Jul 2026