Tondela vs Academica

Académica struck first through Afonso Rodrigues in the 9th minute, catching the Tondela defence cold inside the opening exchanges. The visitors, promoted from Liga 3 after finishing second last season, carried the early momentum.

Tondela's response came before half-time. Cascavel — the Brazilian attacking midfielder — levelled the score, bringing the home side level at the break.

With the game heading for a draw, left-back Zé Ricardo popped up in first-half stoppage time (90+1') to snatch the win. The 27-year-old, signed from Feirense earlier this week and officially presented on Thursday, was making his first appearance in a Tondela shirt under new manager Ricardo Costa.

Zé Ricardo's injury-time winner was the decisive moment, but the match swung when Cascavel equalised just before half-time. Académica had controlled the opening 30 minutes after Rodrigues' early goal; the equaliser forced them to reset and gave Tondela a platform for the second half.

• Zé Ricardo (Tondela) — scored the winner on debut, a dream start for the new left-back who joined the club this week.
• Cascavel (Tondela) — the Brazilian midfielder's equaliser before half-time cancelled out Académica's early lead and shifted the game's momentum.
• Afonso Rodrigues (Académica) — opened the scoring with a well-taken 9th-minute goal.

The match page shows a 2-1 scoreline, but the raw data tells a story of two phases. Académica's early goal gave them control for the opening 30 minutes, but Tondela's equaliser just before the interval reset the dynamic. Tondela's stoppage-time winner reflects the squad depth Ricardo Costa is building, with Zé Ricardo among several new arrivals (Carlão, Gastón Novero, Bruno Almeida, Richarllyson, Yanis da Rocha, Samy Merheg) signed for the 2026/27 campaign.

This was the fourth pre-season friendly for both sides. Tondela — relegated from Liga Portugal after finishing 17th in May — now have a record of one win, one draw and two defeats across their four warm-up matches (1-1 vs Nacional, 1-0 vs Varzim, 0-1 vs Fafe). They begin the II Liga season at home to Amarante on 8 August 2026 (18:00).

Académica — promoted from Liga 3 after a second-place finish — suffered their third consecutive pre-season defeat after losses to Vitória de Guimarães (0-2) and Torreense (0-5), with only a 1-0 win over Marítimo to show. They open their II Liga campaign at Chaves on 8 August 2026 (11:00).

A routine pre-season friendly that delivered a late twist. Zé Ricardo's debut goal will please Ricardo Costa, who is rebuilding a squad capable of challenging for an immediate return to the top flight. Académica, meanwhile, have work to do before their II Liga return — three defeats in four pre-season games suggests the step up from Liga 3 will be steep.