The first whistle of the new season blew for Felgueiras this past Saturday, and it brought a bit of a shock. Kicking off their 2025/26 pre-season, the Segunda Liga side faced off against Liga 3 club Fafe. The friendly match, held quietly behind closed doors in Fafe, ended with a decisive 5-2 victory for the home team.
Fafe started strong, setting the tone early on. They went into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 lead. Midfielder João Amorim scored the first goal, quickly followed by a strike from forward João Santos. After the break, Tomás Teixeira, another midfielder for Fafe, stretched their lead even further, making it 3-0.
Felgueiras managed to pull one back when Landinho converted a penalty kick, bringing the score to 3-1. But Fafe quickly responded. Ká Semedo found the net again for the hosts, restoring their three-goal advantage. Felgueiras’ Pedro Ribeiro then scored their second goal, but João Santos sealed Fafe’s big win by netting his second goal of the match, pushing the final score to 5-2.
This early pre-season test offers a glimpse into what might be ahead. While friendly games are often about getting players fit and trying out new tactics, a loss of this size, especially to a team from a lower division, always raises eyebrows. Felgueiras will certainly be looking to sharpen up before the real competition begins. It’s a clear reminder that every minute on the pitch counts, even before the official season kicks off.