Estrela da Amadora secured their first Portuguese I Liga victory of the season on Sunday, coming from behind to beat Nacional 3-2.
Puerto Rican striker Leandro Antonetti scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute to complete a strong second-half display by the visiting side in Madeira.
The victory lifts Lisbon-based Estrela da Amadora to seventh position in the table with five points, having played one game fewer than most rivals. Nacional sit ninth in the standings with four points following the defeat on home soil.
Second half comeback seals victory
Estrela entered the second half under manager Pepa with increased intensity and took control of the match. The visitors went ahead 2-1 in the 62nd minute through Marcus Abraham. The midfielder capitalised on a ball lost by Matchoi Djalo, before driving from one end of the pitch to the other and beating goalkeeper Renato Marin with a precise finish.
Nacional responded four minutes later against the run of play. Igor Liziero intercepted a misdirected clearance from Patrick and set up Pablo Ruan, leaving the Brazilian forward with a simple finish to draw Nacional level at 2-2 in the 66th minute.
Estrela continued to push forward and found the decisive goal seven minutes before full time. Matchoi Djalo again surrendered possession in a dangerous area, allowing Doue to gather the ball and deliver a cross into the penalty box. Antonetti met the delivery to score his third goal of the tournament and fix the final score at 3-2.
Early lead and first half action
Nacional had caught the visiting defense off guard in the opening minutes while both teams were still settling into the game. William Kokoulo, making his first start for the Madeiran club, created space on the left flank in the third minute and delivered a precise cross to the far post. Wesley Gasolina met the ball unmarked and struck a shot that bounced off the turf, deceiving Estrela goalkeeper Leo Linck as it crossed the line.
Estrela controlled more possession after falling behind, but Nacional came close to doubling their lead in the 36th minute. Following a sustained attacking move, Pablo Ruan fought off defenders to unleash a shot. Linck made a crucial save, tipping the ball onto the post before it went out of play.
The visitors equalised in first-half stoppage time after Ze Vitor lost an aerial challenge to Robinho and fouled the Brazilian inside the penalty area. The referee immediately awarded a penalty in the 45+1 minute, which Ianis Stoica converted to send the teams into the break tied at 1-1.
Club context and Primeira Liga standings
Estrela da Amadora are based in Amadora, near Lisbon, and compete in the Primeira Liga, the highest tier of professional football in Portugal. The club returned to the top flight under head coach Pepa, who took charge to guide the team through their domestic league campaign.
CD Nacional, based in Funchal on the island of Madeira, host their home matches at the Estadio da Madeira. The Madeiran team, often referred to as the alvinegra due to their traditional black-and-white colors, hold four points from four matches following Sunday's result.
