CF Os Belenenses opened their Portuguese Liga 3 campaign in emphatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, dismantling UD Santarem 5-0 in a one-sided encounter. The historic Lisbon club produced a ruthless attacking display to kick off the new season with a statement win, leaving their visitors with no answers from the opening minutes to the final whistle at the Estádio do Restelo.

A dominant opening statement from Belenenses

Belenenses controlled the game from the very first exchange, pressing high up the pitch and forcing Santarem into repeated errors. The home side’s midfield dictated the tempo, while their full-backs pushed forward to create overloads on the wings. By the 25th minute, the hosts were already two goals to the good, and the result never appeared in doubt thereafter.

Santarem, who competed well in patches during the early exchanges, struggled to produce any sustained build-up play against a well-organized Belenenses block. Their attempts to play out from the back were punished time and again, and the visitors rarely threatened the home goal. It was a complete team performance from the hosts, blending sharp finishing with disciplined defensive work.

Key moments and goals

• 12' – Belenenses 1-0: Forward João Teixeira latched onto a precise through ball, rounded the Santarem goalkeeper, and slotted into an empty net to settle any early nerves.
• 24' – Belenenses 2-0: A well-worked corner routine was headed in powerfully by central defender Rafael Lopes, who rose highest to convert from six yards out.
• 43' – Belenenses 3-0: Winger Diogo Figueiredo cut inside from the right flank and curled a superb left-footed strike into the far corner, leaving the visiting keeper with no chance.
• 58' – Belenenses 4-0: Figueiredo scored his second of the afternoon, tapping in from close range after a swift counter-attacking move.
• 79' – Belenenses 5-0: Substitute André Sousa added late gloss with a well-taken finish from the edge of the box, capping off a commanding display.

Tactical story: Pressing that paid off

Belenenses coach set his team up in an aggressive 4-3-3 shape, with the attacking trio tasked to lead an intense press. The strategy worked perfectly. Santarem’s defensive line, unaccustomed to such sustained pressure, was repeatedly caught out of position. The home side’s ability to win the ball back quickly and transition with pace was the foundation of their victory.

In midfield, Belenenses dominated the possession battle and created overloads on both flanks. The wide forwards consistently stayed high and wide, stretching the Santarem defence and creating space for overlapping full-backs. Defensively, the hosts were compact and organized, limiting their opponents to just a handful of half-chances throughout the 90 minutes.

Standout performers

While the entire Belenenses team impressed, Diogo Figueiredo was undoubtedly the man of the match. His brace, coupled with constant movement off the ball and intelligent link-up play, caused Santarem’s backline endless problems. João Teixeira also shone in the number 10 role, contributing a goal and an assist while pulling the strings in the final third.

At the back, Rafael Lopes provided both defensive solidity and a goal from a set piece, while goalkeeper Miguel Coelho was largely untroubled but commanded his area with authority when called upon.

Impact on the Liga 3 table

As one of the favourites for promotion to the Liga Portugal 2, Belenenses will be delighted with the manner of this result. A five-goal margin sends a clear message to their title rivals and puts them top of the early table after the first round of fixtures. For UD Santarem, the heavy defeat serves as an early reality check, but with many games remaining, they will look to bounce back quickly and tighten up defensively in the weeks ahead.