Imortal 3 - 0 GD Portel
Sunday 11th October 2026
Campeonato de Portugal First Phase Group D

Not the most convincing performance despite the score. GD Portel were very poor opposition. They had drawn their first four league games and it was easy see why. They were quite happy to pack five or six men back in defence. For long periods of the game, Imortal lacked the initiative to break down this wall. Too many times, we had the ball on the edge of their penalty area then, three passes later, it was back with Inacio in our goal. It was only late in the game that things changed.

The pitch was dry and bumpy in places. Not sure what's wrong, but it is needing attention.

There were changes from the most recent game a fortnight ago. Baiao, Lopes and Floro were all missing, replaced by Luis Silveira, Mica Silva, plus Rodrigo Silva made his first start of the season in midfield.

The opening ten minutes were of little note, in fact it was not until the 11th minute that there was even a free kick. Imortal did create a couple of chances. A great cross from the left by Cabral was just missed by Rodrigo Silva on the far post, then a corner missed two Imortal heads. Pimenta had a first time shot from the edge of penalty area that went way over the crossbar. Portel often had ten men behind the ball. Frustration was growing.

On the half hour, Pina went down in the Portel penalty area, no foul, just seemed to land awkwardly. He was stretchered off, came back on after five minutes, but didn't come out for the second half, being replaced by Diogo Prates.

There was time just before the interval for another chance, again through Cabral down the left. His cross went just behind Duarte, no joy.

Things had to improve and they did, slowly. Duarte had a shot well saved low down by Portel 'keeper Diogo Águas. That was the first save that either goalkeeper had to make, although both had been in action competently dealing, most of the time, with crosses.

Imortal's opening goal was a bit of luck. Mica Silva had a free kick wide out on the right. In it floated towards the far post, missing about a dozen heads before it dropped into the corner of the goal.

Imortal applied the pressure, at last, and were rewarded with the4 second goal on 17 minutes. Silva had a foot in it, sending in a deep cross which was headed back across goal by Dias and perfectly met on the volley by incoming Duarte from six metres out.

But still Imortal were not positive enough. Prates did get in a good cross from the right, three Imortal players failed to connect. Baiao was just wide with a low shot, his first touch after coming on a sub on 35 minutes.

Portel had until then not managed a single goal scoring attempt Suddenly they attacked, catching Imortal a little off guard. Luckily Marco Grave sent his header over the bar.

Crowd favourite Ricardo Tome (Ruca) came on for the last few minutes. He teamed up with Walter Alves to create Imortal's third, which was also a bit lucky. Alves picked up the ball wide left of the goal, wormed his way across the penalty area, with Ruca drawing defenders out of position. It seemed that Alves had gone too far, but as he reached the goal-line on the opposite side of the goal, he turned on the proverbial sixpence to send in a low cross, but to no-one in particular. Maybe goalkeeper Águas was surprised. He fumbled gathering the cross, the ball hit the goalpost, rebounded off his head and rolled gently across the line.

There was time for Jenney Dangervil of Portel to make a run at goal, but he fluffed his shot and sent it well wide.

Three points are three points and with Sintrense losing Imortal are now level on points with them at the top of the table.

One again a week ahead with no game. Next weekend is the FA Cup and we are out! The league resumes on 25th October, when Imortal travel into the Alentejo to play Mineiro Aljustrel. We should be optimistic. They are bottom of the league.

Forgot to write down the team!

Inacio; Pina, Silveira, Gonçalves, Dias; Nascimento, Rodrigo Silva, Mica Silva, Pimenta; Cabral, Duarte. Subs used : Prates, Coelho, Alves, Tome, Baião.

Match statistics

Free-kicks conceded : Imortal 11, Portel 7 (must be a a record for a low total!)
Offside : Imortal 1, Portel 1
Shots on target : Imortal 3,Portel 0
Shots off target : Imortal 3, Portel 2
Shots blocked : Imortal  2, Portel 0
Corners : Imortal 7, Portel 1
Yellow cards : Imortal 1, Portel 4