Moreirense beat Estoril after three goals in 28 minutes

Moreirense were out of sight before the half-hour at António Coimbra da Mota. Manuel Mendonça scored in the 12th minute, Tiago Andrade added a second in the 15th, and Nile John curled in a direct free kick in the 28th minute as Estoril were left chasing the game from the start.

Moreirense's early burst

John's goal was the standout moment, but the damage was done before it. Moreirense needed only 16 minutes to go 2-0 up, and the third before the break turned the rest of the afternoon into damage limitation for the home side. The match finished 3-1 after Peixinho added a stoppage-time goal in the 90+4' minute.

John's contribution was also backed by the best outfield rating on the Moreirense side. He finished on 8.2, the same mark as Andrade, while Mendonça's opening goal came with a 7.79 rating. John has 2 goals in 9 appearances this season, a return that now includes a set-piece finish at a useful moment for Moreirense.

Estoril's defeat and the crowd reaction

The result also deepened Estoril's run without a win. At full time, assistant coach Miguel Moreira told A Bola, in comments translated from Portuguese: "Things are not happening and it is not for lack of work. We know that the players have a lot of quality. It is another difficult defeat, we have to analyse what we did and grow. We only think about working, in this house nobody gives up. We come from a difficult spell and conceded three goals in quick succession. The team fell apart, but tried to react and fought until the end. We never give up."

The whistles at António Coimbra da Mota grew louder as the match slipped away, and Moreirense's clean early burst left little room for a recovery. Vasco Botelho da Costa said his team wanted a response after cup elimination, and the win gave them that on the night. Moreirense now leave with a sharp away result, while Estoril are still waiting for one that changes the mood.