Portimonense lost on Saturday, August 29, by 2-0 against Leixões, at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, suffering their first defeat in II Liga. The Algarve team failed to counter the greater determination of the visitors and were defeated with a brace from Honduran striker Bryan Róchez, who scored at 40 and 77 minutes.
In a first half with few goal-scoring opportunities, it was the Matosinhos side that reached the advantage near halftime. Bryan Róchez shot in a curled manner and, although Dudu still touched the ball, he could not prevent it from ending in the back of the net. Goalkeeper Dudu prevented the deficit from increasing earlier, with two good saves against shots from Cláudio Araújo, at 50 minutes, and Serif Nhaga, at 74.
Portimonense tried to react after the break, but found a more efficient and determined team in front of them. On the Algarve side, the main opportunity arose at 60 minutes, in a shot by Dudá that went weak and into the path of the Leixões goalkeeper. In an attempt to equalize, Alex Costa made offensive substitutions, but Portimonense failed to convert their greater presence in attack into goals.
Following a corner kick, Samy handled the ball inside the penalty area, in a challenge that the referee deemed worthy of a penalty. Called upon to convert, Bryan Róchez did not waste the opportunity and set the final score at 2-0. After three rounds without losing, Portimonense remain in fifth place with seven points, while Leixões now have six points and are in 11th position.
