Belenenses extend perfect start with comfortable away win at Louletano
Belenenses moved to the summit of Liga 3 after a 3-1 victory over Louletano on Saturday, extending their unbeaten run to four matches. The visitors took control early through S. Lemes, who opened the scoring in the twenty-second minute, and never looked back despite Louletano's attempts to claw their way back into the contest. By then, Belenenses had already established a rhythm that Louletano struggled to disrupt, even when they pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
E. Barros doubled the advantage shortly after half-time, finding the net in the fifty-fourth minute to give Belenenses a two-goal cushion. Louletano pulled two changes almost immediately after the break, bringing on J. Oliveira and T. Moninhas in the forty-sixth minute in a bid to shift the momentum. But the visitors remained composed, adding a third through D. Horta Leitao in the seventy-second minute before A. Afonso sealed the result with a late goal in the eighty-third minute.
The statistics tell a straightforward story. Belenenses dominated possession with 56 per cent of the ball and registered 110 attacks compared to Louletano's 80. They also had more shots on target—nine to five—and created more threatening situations despite winning fewer corners. Louletano had eight corners but failed to convert them into meaningful chances, their five shots on target producing only one goal.
Nuno Tomas collected two yellow cards in quick succession around the sixty-minute mark, a sign of Louletano's growing frustration as they chased the game. Belenenses managed their game well after taking the lead, making substitutions to protect their advantage. E. Barros was replaced in the sixty-fourth minute, while A. Afonso came off in the eighty-fifth after adding the fourth goal of the match.
The result moves Belenenses clear at the top of the table with twelve points from four games, all victories. Louletano remain in fourth place with seven points after two wins, one draw and one defeat. Belenenses' perfect start continues, while Louletano will need to respond if they are to close the gap on the leaders.