The Taça de Portugal delivered another night of cup drama as GD Chaves survived a serious scare from Guarda FC, winning 3-2 in a five-goal tie that kept a lively crowd on edge until the final whistle. The Segunda Liga visitors looked to be cruising at 2-0 inside the opening half hour, only for their lower-league hosts to claw their way back into a contest that turned into a genuine test of nerve.

Match overview

Played under the lights on a warm September evening, the match followed the classic cup script: the higher-ranked side controlling possession and territory, the underdog refusing to fold. Chaves set up in a compact 4-2-3-1 and pressed high from the first whistle, pinning Guarda deep into their own half and forcing a string of rushed clearances. The reward arrived early, with a well-worked move down the right ending in a composed finish at the near post.

A second goal followed before the half-hour mark, this time from a set piece that Guarda's defence failed to clear properly. At that point the tie looked settled, but the hosts showed precisely why the Taça de Portugal remains Portugal's most unpredictable competition. A sharp counter-attack four minutes before the interval produced a goal that changed the mood inside the stadium entirely.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Chaves open the scoring with a low finish after a quick exchange on the right flank.
• 28th minute: A half-cleared corner is volleyed home to double the visitors' lead.
• 41st minute: Guarda FC pull one back, finishing off a three-pass counter-attack.
• 63rd minute: Chaves restore their two-goal cushion with a header from a deep cross.
• 84th minute: Guarda score again, setting up a frantic closing spell.
• 90+4th minute: A goal-line clearance and a save at full stretch preserve the win.

Tactical story

Chaves' control came from midfield superiority. Their double pivot recycled the ball quickly, switching play from side to side and dragging Guarda's midfield line out of shape. Wingers stayed wide and high, creating one-on-one situations that the hosts struggled to contain for the first hour.

Guarda's response was pragmatic. After conceding twice, the home coach switched from a flat 4-4-2 to a back three, pushed the full-backs higher and committed an extra body to the press. The change worked: Chaves' build-up became rushed, second balls started falling to the hosts, and the game turned into a series of transitions. It made for breathless viewing and nearly produced the equaliser.

Standout performers

Chaves' central midfielder was the game's most influential figure, dictating tempo and breaking up play, while their goalkeeper produced the decisive stop deep into added time. For Guarda FC, the wide forward who sparked the counter-attack for the first goal was a constant outlet, and the young centre-back who stepped into the back three grew into the contest despite the result.

What it means

The win sends Chaves into the next round of the Taça de Portugal, where the draw becomes considerably less forgiving. For a club with ambitions of competing near the top of the Segunda Liga, a clean passage through the early rounds is valuable for rhythm and confidence, even if the performance itself will give the coaching staff plenty to review.

Guarda FC exit with their reputation enhanced. Pushing a professional side to a one-goal margin, scoring twice and creating late chances is exactly the kind of night that sustains a club's cup tradition. The result is a defeat on paper, but the display will be remembered far longer than the scoreline suggests.