On January 5, 2025, Casa Pia AC hosted FC Famalicão at the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior for matchday 17 of the Liga Portugal Betclic, resulting in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. The match marked a significant moment for both teams as they searched for valuable points to improve their standings.
João Goulart opened the scoring for Casa Pia AC early in the match, finding the back of the net with a powerful header from close range after receiving a pinpoint cross from Nuno Moreira. His goal came just 18 minutes after the kickoff and set the tone for the home side, who were eager to take control right from the start. "Gooool! Casa Pia 1, Famalicão 0. João Goulart (Casa Pia) remate de cabeza desde el centro del área por bajo, junto al palo izquierdo," echoed the excitement from the home supporters.
Famalicão wasn't to be outdone, and they responded equally well. Just 16 minutes later, Óscar Aranda leveled the match with a remarkable long-range strike. The goal came as he capitalized on a free kick situation, sending the ball to the right side of the net after receiving assistance from Tom van de Looi. The equalizer came as quite the shock and re-energized Famalicão's chances. "Gooool! Casa Pia 1, Famalicão 1. Óscar Aranda (Famalicão) remate con la derecha desde fuera del área por el lado derecho de la portería," the onlookers witnessed this impressive strike.
Both teams continued to battle hard for the remainder of the match. The intensity increased, leading to several fouls and cautions. Casa Pia's Nuno Moreira received two yellow cards, resulting in his dismissal just before full-time. This red card was pivotal as it shifted the dynamics of the game, allowing Famalicão to show increased aggression and press for the winning goal.
The end of the match saw Famalicão step up their offensive efforts, pushing many of their players forward. Despite several attempts, including headers from Mario González and shots from Gil Dias, they failed to secure the win. Meanwhile, Casa Pia held their ground tenaciously, resisting Famalicão's advances.
Overall, the draw left both teams with mixed emotions; Casa Pia AC climbed to 7th place with 24 points, showcasing their steady performance throughout the season. Conversely, FC Famalicão remained just behind them, sitting at 9th place with 20 points. Despite the draw, Casa Pia's Sequeira was named the MVP of the match, highlighting his performance as central to the team's efforts.
The match, characterized by its physicality and resilience from both squads, ended with tensions still palpable well after the final whistle. Both teams left the pitch with pride but knowing improvements were necessary to climb the league table and secure more favorable results moving forward.