Tondela's Fall Signals Approaching I Liga Season
Heading Out Early: Chaves Bid Adieu to Promotion Dreams in 2-1 Loss to Tondela
Saying goodbye to their dreams of ascending to the top tier, either through direct promotion or playoffs, Chaves succumbed to Tondela in a 2-1 defeat. Meanwhile, Tondela marches steadily towards a return to the big leagues.
Leading the pack during half-time, Tondela, who had a chance at securing at least a playoff spot for promotion, netted their opening goal courtesy of Miro in the 9th minute.
Facing the prospect of promoting-related farewells, Chaves leveled the score in the second half, converting a penalty from Ruben Pina at the 49th minute. Not long after, Tondela's head coach, Luis Pinto, was given his marching orders for heated words to the referee. Despite the advantage, Chaves couldn't find the winning goal, and it was Tondela who struck late. With a pass from Miro and a magical finish from Moudjatovic, Tondela secured at least a playoff spot for promotion (90+1').
Currently, Tondela reclaims the top spot with 61 points, three more than second-placed Vizela. Despite the defeat, Chaves is fifth with 50 points.
Also Read: Rocking the Rivets: The Rewind of Felgueiras-Benfica B
It's worth noting that, as of May 4, 2025, in Liga Portugal 2, Tondela appears to hold a solid position at the helm, but there's some inconsistency in the official standings — both first and second place positions can be found among sources[1][4]. High-scoring games in recent encounters between these teams have been a norm, with over 2.5 goals in their last three meetings[1]. As the season winds down, late-match fixtures will significantly impact promotion chances. For the most accurate rankings, check updated league tables post-May 4 matches.
Tondela's secure position in the Portuguese second division was reinforced with their 2-1 victory over Chaves, as they seek a return to the prime league. The equalizer, a penalty converted by Ruben Pina, offered Chaves a glimmer of hope in the second half, but they failed to capitalize on it. Tondela's head coach, Luis Pinto, was sent off for uttering heated words to the referee. Despite Benfica's recent triumph over Felgueiras in the lower division of European-leagues, Laliga, Tondela remains a formidable contender for promotion, with their high-scoring encounters against Benfica a common feature. As the season nears its end, the promotion race will be heavily influenced by the outcomes of the late-match fixtures.
