Forte Virtus edged a five-goal thriller against Al Bataeh in the United Arab Emirates Division 1 Group A on 18 October 2026, winning 3-2 after a late goal settled an end-to-end contest. The match had everything: lead changes, sharp finishing and a dramatic finish.

Match overview

Forte Virtus started quickly and took the lead inside the opening ten minutes, but Al Bataeh responded well and equalised before half-time. The second half was even more open, with both sides trading goals and chances. Just when the game looked set to end in a draw, Forte Virtus found a late winner to take all three points.

Al Bataeh will feel frustrated after creating enough chances to earn a result, but Forte Virtus showed greater composure in the decisive moments. The away side’s counter-attacking was particularly effective, and their forwards caused problems throughout.

Key moments

• 9 minutes: Lucas Ferreira gave Forte Virtus the lead with a precise finish after a quick break.
• 18 minutes: Ahmed Al Hammadi equalised for Al Bataeh with a strong run and shot.
• 52 minutes: Ferreira scored his second, finishing from the edge of the box.
• 64 minutes: Saeed Al Marzooqi made it 2-2 with a header from a corner.
• 88 minutes: Rafael Santos scored the winner for Forte Virtus, converting a low cross at the near post.

Tactical story

Forte Virtus set up to absorb pressure and strike on the counter. Their midfield stayed compact, and their wide players provided pace on the break. That plan worked perfectly for the first goal and again for the late winner. Al Bataeh controlled long spells of possession but left too much space behind their full-backs.

Al Bataeh’s set-piece threat kept them in the game, and their equaliser came from exactly that route. However, they were unable to maintain defensive concentration in the final minutes. Forte Virtus managed the game well after their third goal, slowing the tempo and clearing their lines.

Standout players

Lucas Ferreira was the standout performer for Forte Virtus, scoring twice and leading the counter-attack with intelligence. Rafael Santos will be remembered for the late winner, while the goalkeeper made important saves in the second half. For Al Bataeh, Ahmed Al Hammadi and Saeed Al Marzooqi were the main attacking threats.

Season impact

The win gives Forte Virtus a valuable boost in the UAE Division 1 Group A promotion race and proves they can win away from home in high-scoring games. Al Bataeh will be disappointed to lose after equalising twice, but their attacking display offers encouragement. The focus now shifts to tightening up defensively in the closing stages of matches.