Alverca 2-1 CF Os Belenenses | International Club Friendly | July 17, 2026

Alverca edged out CF Os Belenenses 2-1 in a pre-season friendly that gave both Portuguese sides valuable preparation ahead of the upcoming campaign. The match, played behind closed doors, saw Alverca take control in the first half and hold off a determined Belenenses fightback.

First Half Dominance

Alverca started brightly and took the lead inside the first quarter-hour. A well-worked move down the right flank ended with a low cross that was turned home at the near post. The home side doubled their advantage just before half-time when a free kick from wide was headed in by a defender who rose unchallenged. Belenenses struggled to create clear chances against an organised Alverca defence, and the scoreline at the break reflected the hosts' superiority.

Belenenses Response

CF Os Belenenses made several changes at half-time, introducing fresh legs to inject energy into their performance. The tactic paid off as they pulled one back in the 63rd minute: a clever through ball found their striker, who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net. That gave the visitors hope, and they pushed hard for an equaliser in the final half-hour.

Second Half Battle

Alverca were forced into a more defensive posture in the second period, but they absorbed the pressure well. The team's goalkeeper made a sharp save from a curling free kick, and the woodwork came to Alverca's rescue when a Belenenses shot rattled the crossbar in the 81st minute. Despite sustained pressure, the visitors could not find a second goal, and Alverca held on to claim a useful friendly victory.

Key Observations

• The friendly gave both managers a chance to rotate squads and test tactical systems.
• Alverca's set-piece efficiency was a notable weapon – both goals came from dead-ball situations.
• Belenenses showed encouraging spirit after the break but need to sharpen their finishing.

Context

This International Club Friendly was part of both teams' pre-season schedules. Alverca will take confidence from a solid performance against a higher-tier opponent, while Belenenses can use the experience to identify areas for improvement before competitive fixtures resume. Pre-season results often offer only glimpses of form, but the match demonstrated that Alverca can be competitive this season.