Maia won an eight-goal thriller 5-3 away to Tirsense in the Portuguese Campeonato Nacional on Sunday night, with a late double finally settling a match that swung wildly from one end to the other.

Tirsense vs Maia was never likely to be a quiet affair once the visitors scored inside the opening six minutes, and the game quickly developed into an end-to-end contest full of transitions, defensive gaps and clinical finishing. Maia led twice in the first half, Tirsense fought back to level at 2-2 and then 3-3, but the visitors found another gear in the final 10 minutes to take all three points from a remarkable night at the Estádio Abel Alves de Figueiredo.

Match overview

Maia made the perfect start. A quick move down the left in the sixth minute opened up the Tirsense defence, and the visiting centre-forward finished neatly at the near post. When Maia added a second in the 17th minute, again through a sharp transition, the game looked in danger of running away from the hosts. Tirsense, however, responded with character. A well-taken goal in the 29th minute gave the home crowd belief, and a second in the 42nd minute sent the teams into half-time level at 2-2.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Maia restored their lead in the 54th minute when a midfielder arrived late in the box to finish a low cross, but Tirsense equalised again in the 67th minute through their centre-forward’s second goal of the night. With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Maia found a decisive surge. They retook the lead in the 81st minute, and a breakaway goal in stoppage time sealed a 5-3 victory that flattered the visitors slightly but rewarded their superior finishing in the key moments.

Key moments

• 6’ – Tirsense 0-1: Maia’s centre-forward finished a quick left-sided move at the near post.
• 17’ – Tirsense 0-2: Another fast transition ended with a composed finish from Maia’s No. 10.
• 29’ – Tirsense 1-2: Tirsense pulled one back after sustained pressure and a close-range finish.
• 42’ – Tirsense 2-2: A flowing home move was converted at the back post.
• 54’ – Tirsense 2-3: Maia’s midfielder arrived late to restore the visitors’ lead.
• 67’ – Tirsense 3-3: Tirsense’s centre-forward scored his second of the night.
• 81’ – Tirsense 3-4: Maia regained the lead with a low finish after a defensive error.
• 90+3’ – Tirsense 3-5: A breakaway goal in stoppage time confirmed the win.

Tactical story

Both sides played with high defensive lines and a willingness to attack quickly, which made the midfield feel almost optional at times. Tirsense pressed aggressively in search of turnovers, but that approach left large spaces behind their full-backs whenever Maia beat the first line of pressure. Maia’s front three exploited those gaps relentlessly, particularly in the opening 20 minutes and again in the closing stages when Tirsense pushed for a winner.

Tirsense’s comeback was built on better width and more patient possession after the early storm. Their equalisers came from moves that stretched Maia’s back four and created space at the far post. Yet the hosts never fully solved the problem of Maia’s counter-attacks. The visitors’ substitutions also made a difference, adding fresh legs in wide areas and helping them reclaim control after Tirsense had levelled at 3-3. In a game of fine margins, Maia’s ability to convert their best chances proved decisive.

Standout performers

Maia’s centre-forward was a constant handful, scoring the opener and playing a key role in the late fourth goal. The No. 10 was equally influential, drifting into pockets of space and finishing his first-half chance with real quality. For Tirsense, their centre-forward deserved more from the night after scoring twice and leading the line with energy, while the home winger who set up the second equaliser was the game’s most dangerous crosser. Both goalkeepers were busy and both defences will have uncomfortable viewing when the match is reviewed.

What the result means

Maia leave with a statement away win and a confidence boost that comes from scoring five times on the road. Tirsense, meanwhile, will take encouragement from their fighting spirit but will be concerned by the number of chances conceded in transition. In the Campeonato Nacional table, this is the kind of result that can shape momentum: Maia gain three valuable points and bragging rights from a breathless contest, while Tirsense are left to rue a night when their attacking efforts were undermined by defensive gaps.